Mansell and Ellis sparkle at Cotswold Hills

Ashley Mansell and Nick Ellis, pictured, produced the fireworks on November 5 to share top spot in the Gloucester and Somerset PGA Medal at Cotswold Hills.

The duo, from Clevedon and Naunton Downs respectively, posted a three-under-par 67 over a course that had been slightly shortened due to some bunkers being re-modelled on the seventh fairway.

Mansell was out in the final threesome in a field of 27 and made six birdies and dropped three shots to win the birdie sweep. This was his first professional win since quitting county golf with Somerset. He picked up shots at the third, fifth, 12^th, 13^th, 16^th and 18^th.

Captain-elect Ellis showed his liking for the Cotswold Hills course as he repeated his 2013 victory. The Matchplay Championship runner-up carded four birdies at the fifth, seventh, 12^th and 16^th and shed his only shot at the par-three 11^th hole.

He also topped up his winnings with the Over 40’s sweep pot. He now moves into third in the Total Triumph Order of Merit close behind Ed Goodwin (Cirencester) and leader Giuseppe Licata (Bristol Golf Centre) who was third on 69.

He finished one stroke ahead of Seniors Tour man George Ryall (Players Club), James Harraway (Cirencester) and James Keitch (Taunton Vale).

Peter Garratt (Naunton Downs) made the day’s only eagle when he holed a full wedge shot on the par-five 16^th.