Final birdie clincher for Licata

Giuseppe Licata made a crucial birdie at the 18th hole to win his first Gloucester and Somerset PGA medal of the season to deny veteran George Ryall (Burnham & Berrow) victory at The Kendleshire.

The Chipping Sodbury teaching professional posted four-under-par 67 at the venue where he also won last season.

The sixth event on the schedule attracted a record entry of 39 players and the calm day and excellent condition of the course ensured low scoring.

Licata started with birdies at the first and third and closed out the front nine with a two at the ninth. He started and finished the back nine with birdies and made another at the 15^th.

But his six birdies were not enough to take the birdie sweep. That went to Ryall who finished one shot behind, despite his seven birdies. But he made two bogeys and a double bogey at the fifth. He added the over 40’s sweep to his winnings.

Ed Goodwin (Cirencester) maintained his excellent recent form and again broke 70 to claim third. He has now trimmed Total Triumph Order of Merit leader Ashley Mansell’s lead to just two points.

Weston-super-Mare assistant Dan Toogood produced his best result of the season with the final sub- par round of 70 to take fourth spot. Previous winner Paul Barrington (InPlay Golf), Daryl Kelley (Filton) and Mansell shared fifth on 71.