WEYMOUTH’S Michael Watson says Cotswold Hills is one of his favourite courses, and it’s no wonder, writes Peter Godsiff.

The Wessex Golf Centre professional, pictured, invariably fares well when he visits Cheltenham and he recently gained his second win in four years, after sharing the prize with James Ruth (China Fleet), in the latest Pro-Am.

He won with 66 in 2011 and followed with 65 for second place the following year.

This time his round of five-under-par 67 brought an early clubhouse lead before he was caught by Ruth, whose previous win this season was at the Cornish Festival opener.

Watson has made a relatively quiet start to the season but is approaching the form that brought him 13 wins last year.

After an opening birdie, he eagled the 477-yard seventh and followed up with further birdies at the 13th and 16th.

Ruth made his winning score on the back nine, picking up shots at 12, 13, 15 and 17 after an early birdie at the fourth.

Cirencester’s Ed Goodwin, who played all his early amateur and professional golf at Cotswold Hills, is another course specialist, and was the second man out.

He posted 68 with six birdies and dropped two shots.

Goodwin was later caught by Welshmen Sion Bebb (Morlais Castle), last year’s winner, who made five birdies.

Former Parc Golf Academy teacher Brian Lee, who followed 12 pars with three successive birdies from the 13th and another at the 17th.