On-fire Bebb claims sixth success

Sion Bebb continued his total domination of the South West circuit this year and recorded his sixth win of a triumphant season at Lilley Brook Golf Club in Cheltenham.

The former European Tour player produced a faultless round on a brilliant sunny day to sign for three-under-par 66 with 15 pars and birdies at the eighth, 16th and 17th holes. His previous wins were at Sherborne, Cotswold Hills, Teign Valley, Bowood and Langland Bay.

Paul Jones (Canford Magna), who has also been in impressive recent form, was the only other player to break par on one-under 68.

His was a roller-coaster round on a day of uncharacteristic high scoring, due much to testing pin positions that put a premium on both approach play and putting on the slick but perfect surfaces.

He made 10 pars, starting with a bogey five and regained the shot at the next hole. Another dropped shot at the fifth was followed by an eagle at the 392-yard sixth when he holed a six-iron second shot. He started and finished the back nine with birdies but shed shots at 13 and 15.

Five players shared third on 70, including Tom Motley, club professional at South Cerney who recorded his best finish in the Travis Perkins-sponsored event, making three birdies. The former Cirencester assistant, who returned to Gloucestershire after a spell as head teaching professional at Brocket Hall, now plans to play more frequently.

Paul Hendriksen also made an eagle at the 292-yard 13th when he drove the green. But he only made two birdies, as did Brian Lee (Parc Golf Academy), while Mark Wiggett (Dudsbury) recorded five and Ross Jones (Bath) four.

Giuseppe Licata (Bristol Golf Centre), who made four birdies in the first 10 holes and stood at two-under-par, then dropped 12 shots in the final eight holes. They included nine at the par four 15th when he even putted off the green into a bunker.

But, helped by his brisk start and solid backing from his Filton Golf Club team of Charles Burgess, Ian Gay and Gloucestershire junior county captain Mitch Waite who picked up the longest drive award, he was able to lead the winning team on ten-under-par 129.

Iain Ferrie (West Wilts) was runner-up one shot behind with the WAFS team of Peter Marsden, Steve Cave and Keith Filby.

Home assistant Simon Clarke won his first South West prize since moving from the South region by heading the third team who scored on countback. He was able to steer club captain Martin Brewer, vice-captain Tom Kingsbury and last year’s captain Eddie Robinson to the prize table.