Eagle-eyed Ed eases to victory
16/11/2015
Cirencester head PGA pro Ed Goodwin carded a brace of eagles on his way to his first victory of the winter season as he posted a five-under-par 67 at Clevedon.
He also added four birdies on his scorecard for a one stroke success to deny Louis Boston back to back victories, who took second with his 68.
It was a first visit for G&S PGA to the North Somerset venue since 2012 and the 30 strong field were in good form, despite the swirling wind, as plenty of birdies and eagles were made with a level par score only just scraping into the top ten.
Goodwin started off with a bogey at the tricky opening hole but that was the only stroke he would shed in the front nine.
The first of his eagles came at the second before he picked another stroke at the par five 4th.
He then gained five shots to par in a stunning four hole stretch around the turn as birdies came at the ninth, tenth and 11th ahead of his second eagle at the 12th taking him to seven under.
Unfortunately a couple of bogies came at the 15th and 16th holes but he was still was one clear come the end of the day.
Boston, who had ended his winning round at Cotswold Hills with seven consecutive birdies, started his trip around Clevedon with yet another birdie at the first.
He faltered with a trip to the trees at the fourth to drop his only shot of the front nine but more shots were gained at the fifth and seventh thanks to some excellent putts.
Like Goodwin he took advantage of the start of the back nine with three birdies in a row to reach five under but a second tangle with trees led to a dropped shot at the 13th.
Par figures on the remaining holes secured second spot and a useful haul of points taking him up to second place in the Total Triumph Order of Merit behind leader Ross Langdon.
George Ryall, who was associated with Clevedon back in his amateur days, took third place on 69 ahead of a four-way tie for fourth.
The quartet on 70 consisted of the host club’s Ashley Mansell, amateur Spencer Vickery, Mendip Spring pro Scott Thompson and Bristol Golf Centre’s Giuseppe Licata. Licata made seven birdies and took home the birdie sweep as Goodwin didn’t enter on this occasion.
Next week it is back to the usual Wednesday fixtures for the Professional’s as they visit Chipping Sodbury.
