Mansell the man at Naunton
23/02/2017
Consistent Clevedon assistant Ashley Mansell was the only player to beat par in the Gloucester and Somerset PGA medal on a breezy day in the Cotswolds at Naunton Downs.
His one-under 71 for a two-shot victory over Russ Berry (Broadway) brought his second win of the campaign. He moves to within one point of third place in the Total Triumph Order of Merit).
Mansell made a bogey at the opening hole into the wind but then chipped in for an eagle two at the third. After a birdie he suffered a double bogey seven at the long par five seventh to reach the turn in one over. But he accelerated on the return with birdies at the 10th, 12th and 13th.
He also claimed the birdie sweep. Berry made five birdies but added a double bogey and four bogeys. Although he dropped his final shot on the 18th it did not affect his position.
Despite wind and late rain making it a tough day to score, home professional Nick Ellis enjoyed home advantage with a steady round of 73 to share third with Ian Brown (Newent). They would have been joined by Orchardleigh’s Charlie Cossins had he not fallen foul of a scorecard error to be disqualified.
Brown recorded the only sub-par front nine of the day but faltered slightly coming home.
Paul Barrington (In Play Golf) and Ed Goodwin (Cirencester) were the final prize-winners on 75 sharing fifth.
Giuseppe Licata (Chipping Sodbury) remains firmly on top of the OOM, despite sharing seventh, although Goodwin reduced the deficit slightly to 34 points.
