Total Triumph for dark horse Derrick

Tracy Park assistant Luke Derrick shocked a strong field to win the 36-hole Gloucester and Somerset PGA Total Triumph Strokeplay Championship for his first win as a professional.

The former Filton amateur returned nine-over-par 149 on a tough day which started with early rain before blustery winds blew most players off course.

Everyone struggled in the poor weather which has become almost traditional for the championship where almost £3,000 was available in prize money.

The best score on the day was only 73 and shared in the morning by Peter Garratt (Naunton Downs) and Kevin Pitts (Mendip) and matched in the afternoon by Derrick.

Derrick shot six-over 76 in the morning and he dropped shots at the first, third and fifth in the afternoon so winning was the last thought in his mind.

But he embarked on a run of 13 successive pars – fine scoring on such a difficult day – to beat Burnham and Berrow touring player Lee Corfield by a single shot. His superb chipping and putting were key factors.

Challenge Tour player Corfield followed his win the previous week at Wedmore with another strong performance.

Two rounds of 75 left him a shot clear of Burnham and Berrow head pro David Haines who always seems to do well in this event.

Total Triumph Order of Merit winner Giuseppe Licata (Bristol Golf Centre) concluded his fine winter season in fourth on 152, just ahead of leading assistant Ashley Mansell (Clevedon).

G&S PGA Chairman Andrew March faded from a strong position with nine holes left to share sixth with George Ryall (Players Club) on 154.

But he did move up to fourth in the Order of Merit. Ed Goodwin (Cirencester), Tom Hiscock (Henbury) and Garratt took the final prize money in a tie for eighth on 155.