MARK Plummer picked up another first place in the final Gloucester and Somerset PGA medal of the winter and said: "That was the hardest money I've ever earned."

The touring professional from the Manor House at Castle Combe finished on six-over-par 77 at the tough Farrington course that has seldom offered more of a challenge in horrendous conditions.

He said: "It was very hard and very, very cold and wet. Everyone felt it and there was a time when we all considered walking in.

"I couldn't feel a thing and even when the rain eventually stopped it became very windy. Farrington is not an easy course at the best of times and certainly not in this weather."

It was his third win in succession. He took the honours at Woodspring and was involved in a three-way tie at Clevedon.

Plummer managed to birdie the par-four first hole and the short eighth to be out in two-over-par 38. But the birdies dried up, he dropped two shots on the 16th, and settled for an inward nine of 39.

But he won comfortably by three shots from Stuart Martin (Burnham and Berrow) and home trainee assistant Paul French. Challenge Tour player Marcus Higley (Yeovil) was fourth on 81.

There was a marked shortage of birdies. Plummer and his playing partner Peter Garratt (Cirencester), who shot 83, each managed two to share the birdie pool.

Plummer produced seven birdies to return a four-under-par 69 over the Brunel and Severn nines at Woodspring.

Runner-up Jon Cowgill (Farrington) trailed him by four strokes.

The margin would have been greater but Plummer dropped shots on the closing two holes.

Garratt made a double bogey at the final hole to lose second spot. He was tied with home amateur Nick Mills (74-73).