Goodwin cuts Licata’s OOM lead

Cirencester’s Ed Goodwin took advantage of long-time leader Giuseppe Licata’s injury to close the gap further at the top of the Gloucester and Somerset PGA Total Triumph Order of Merit.

He finished tied second at Minehead and West Somerset while Licata’s broken little toe on his left foot caused him big problems. The Chipping Sodbury teaching professional was determined to compete wearing a specially adapted boot and play through the pain. But he struggled and shot 76.

“I stubbed my toe while walking at home,” he said. “I was determined to play once I had practised transferring weight to my left foot as I am really keen to win the Order of Merit again.”

He hopes to be closer to his best in next week’s medal at Weston-super-Mare.

But the race is hotting up as Goodwin moved past Russ Berry (Broadway) into second spot and now lies just 13 points adrift.  George Ryall (Burnham and Berrow) and Ashley Mansell (Clevedon) are also not too far behind in what is becoming the closest race for years.

Goodwin would have taken second outright but for a three-putt on the final green for two-under-par 70. So he shared with Ryall, Charlie Cossins (Orchardleigh) and Dan Toogood (Weston-super-Mare) who was runner-up for the second successive week.

Three more professionals broke par. Shane Kaye (Burnham Driving Range) continued his good form alongside the consistent Ian Brown (Newent) and Paul Barrington (InPlay Golf, Bristol) who followed on 71. Home assistant Jordan Arnold would have joined them but for a dropped a shot at the closing hole.

In stark contrast to the windy weather a week earlier at Burnham and Berrow a full field of 33 was greeted with calm, dry conditions at the far western outpost of the two counties. The day belonged to Enmore Park amateur Matt Kippen who won by five shots by carding a magnificent round of seven-under-par 65 containing eight birdies.