HAMISH MASON has been crowned club champion at Cirencester Golf Club for the third time after holing a five-foot putt on the final green of the 36-hole event to triumph by a single shot from Gerry Coetzee.

Mason was lying in fifth place after his morning round of 74 but scored an exceptional one over par 72 in deteriorating conditions following the lunch break.

“It was a day of attrition and I am still feeling it in my legs two days later,” said Mason, a three-handicap golfer and a practice manager with Gloucester law firm Dee & Griffin.

“It got very breezy in the afternoon and rained constantly from the 5th or 6th hole.

“I was playing with Mitch (Caunt) and Gerry, two of the morning leaders. I went a bit mad and holed a putt from off the green for an eagle on the third and that got it going.

“I was three under after eight holes and I led for the first time on the turn. I was telling myself just to hang in there as I knew shots would be dropped on the back nine.

“Gerry and I were level on the 18th (36th) tee and he put his in the bunker and failed to get up and down. I was on the green but, like a muppet, I left my first putt four or five feet short. But then I holed what turned out to be the winning putt.

“I had no idea how Alex Hobson, the other morning leader, was doing as he was playing a few holes ahead, so I wasn’t sure I had won until getting back to the clubhouse.

“It's the third time I have won the title over a 20-year period – and at the tender age of 53.”

Nearly-man Coetzee had also filled the runner-up slot in the South Cerney Golf Club Championship 12 months ago.

Tied for third place, three shots behind the winner, came club assistant pro Caunt (71/78) and veteran Pete Stone (73/76).

Caunt and Coetzee headed the leader board at the halfway stage with Alex Hobson, who blew up in the afternoon with an 82.

The reverse was the case for Simon May who matched Mason’s marvellous 72 on a tough afternoon but had too much ground to make up after his morning round of 85.

The course was in great condition with the greens rolling beautifully after being hand cut but it played very long due to the wet weather conditions.

RESULTS: 146 Hamish Mason (74/72); 147 Gerry Coetzee 71/76); 149 Mitch Caunt (71/78), Pete Stone (73/76); 153 Alex Hobson (71/82); 155 Chalmers Phin (76/79), Tom Stone 77/78); 156 George Peare (79/77).