Ed in charge at Cirencester

Host professional Ed Goodwin (above) recorded a home win with a two-under-par 68 in the Gloucester and Somerset PGA medal at Cirencester where he invariably excels.

Despite pleasant spring weather and light winds only two players managed to beat par – the other being one of his playing partners for the day Robin Goodey from Chipping Sodbury who finished one shot behind.

After a disappointing showing at the PGA West Cornish Festival the previous week, he started by collecting birdies at the third, fifth and sixth to reach the turn in 32. His only bogey came at the tough par four 10th hole before eight further pars brought his sixth win in a profitable winter season.

Goodey, the Chipping Sodbury club manager, produced his best round of the season. Using new clubs to conform to new groove regulations, he also reached the turn in 32. He made his three birdies at the first, third and eighth.

He also dropped his first shot on the 10th and further lapses followed at the 11th and 15th before he made his fourth birdie at the 16^th.

Mendip’s Kevin Pitts returned from a back injury to post a level par 70 for third place, his round comprising two birdies and two bogeys.

Three players tied for fourth on 72. Brean’s David Haines and Farrington Park’s Terry Williams were joined by Total Triumph Order of Merit leader Giuseppe Licata (Bristol Golf Centre) who lost a ball on his penultimate hole to make a double bogey.

But he retains a healthy OOM lead with just two more medals remaining before he defends the Total Triumph Strokeplay Championship at Taunton and Pickeridge Golf Club next month.