Licata pips Goodwin to Championship

Bristol Golf Centre’s Giuseppe Licata won his first Gloucester and Somerset PGA Total Triumph Strokeplay Championship over 36 holes at Cirencester Golf Club, beating Ed Goodwin, the host club professional and favourite, by one shot.

Licata led after an opening three-under-par 67, two better than playing partner Daryl Kelley (Filton) and four ahead of Goodwin, the third member of the group, and European Tour man David Dixon.

Paul Barrington (Players Club) shot a first round 70 in a bid to emulate his championship-winning feat of 1996.

As the rain arrived to make the last few holes uncomfortable, Goodwin put pressure his younger playing partner with 69 but Licata’s 72 was just good enough. Kelley faded to a 77 to finish sixth in the select field of 24.

Dixon took an early lead adding a level par 70 to take third spot. Barrington carded 72 to share fourth with Brean’s David Haines whose 68 after an opening 74 was the best round of the afternoon.

The consistent Nigel Warburton (Knowle) carded 72, 77 to finish seventh and end his comeback season strongly.

Goodwin had clinched the Total Triumph Order of Merit title the previous week at Wedmore to leave Licata as runner up.

Third place went to Kelly while Warburton moved into fourth ahead of the absent Rod Hibbitt (Cotswold Edge) while G&S PGA chairman Andrew March was sixth.  Ross Langdon (Henbury) was the leading trainee in seventh.