IT was no surprise that Ashley Mansell won the first Pro-am held at Clevedon for ten years as he has been a member since boyhood, has played the course hundreds of times and organised the event as well.

The 26-year-old assistant carded three-under-par 69 to deprive early leader Robin Goodey (Chipping Sodbury) of top spot before former European Tour player Sion Bebb (Morlais Castle) produced the day’s only blemish-free round with three birdies and 15 pars to share the honours.

Goodey stood at five-under-par on the 15th tee before dropping three strokes over the final stretch. He eventually shared third with youngsters Dan Toogood (Weston-super-Mare), who produced seven birdies, and exciting Welshman Toby Hunt (St Mellons), who came home in a best-of-the-day back nine of four under 32.

Mansell believes he is playing the best golf of his career. He became the Gloucester and Somerset PGA champion the previous week and plans to try again for his European Tour card in September.

He said: “Playing Clevedon was a bonus but there was pressure on me as everyone at the club anticipated I would do well. I just got on with it although the back nine played a bit difficult in an unusual wind from the south rather than south-west proved tricky, “The course was in fantastic condition and the event went superbly well. Being the organiser, the day became quite stressful but it ran very smoothly and everyone, including the sponsors, want it to continue next year.

“It was a highly successful day for the club and put Clevedon on the map”

Members were also pleased to see George Ryall, who started his career at the club and now represents Burnham and Berrow, share sixth on 71 with Matt Dearden (Cardiff), winning PGA Cup captain Jon Bevan (Sherborne) and former PGA champion Scott Drummond from Plymouth in the high-quality field.

Club captain David McGovern, his vice-captain Tim Wheeler and member Adrian Jennings were also happy to feature in third place as members of the team led by European Tour winner David Dixon (Enmore Park).

They shot 91, trailing Drummond’s trio of Jamie Tompkins, Joe Swift and Ed Cawse to lose second spot on countback. Upavon’s Dan Carter led the winners, Craig Andrews, Ian Clark and Matt Hocking, who compiled an impressive 22-under-par 94.