Giuseppe glory at Stinchcombe

Bristol Golf Centre’s Giuseppe Licata shot four-under-par 64 to achieve a three-shot victory over Nick Ellis (Naunton Downs) and Scott Thompson (Mendip Spring) in the Gloucester and Somerset PGA medal at Stinchcombe Hill.

Unlike a year ago when the scheduled visit to Stinchcombe was washed out by a torrential downpour, this year’s rain, following early fog, only affected the late starters.

Licata finally burst through after finishing as runner up in the opening two meetings. Following an opening birdie he completed the front nine in par. He picked up another shot at the 12^th but made his only bogey taking five at the 14^th. His round ended in style with a hat trick of birdies.

He shared the birdie sweep with Ed Goodwin (Cirencester), both carding five. Licata also moved to the head of the Total Triumph Order of Merit overtaking Andrew March (Brean) who tied eighth.

Ellis’s round contained three birdies and two bogeys and he also won the Over 40’s sweep. Thompson, who has been settling into his new role at Mendip Spring after switching from Bleadon Hill, made his first appearance of the season.

It proved to be his best ever result in G&S PGA events as he beat par by one with birdies coming at the second, sixth, 13^th and 18^th.

Goodwin, Robin Goodey (Chipping Sodbury), Ashley Mansell (Clevedon) and Paul Gravell (Players Club) shared fourth on par.