EXETER'S Chris Gill capped a superb week by winning the Forest of Dean Classic, played over two days at the Forest of Dean Golf Club and Forest Hills.

Gill's victory provided him with a confidence boost before he makes his debut for Great Britain & Ireland in the PGA Cup match against the United States in California next month. Forest Hills owner Ed Breton said: "It has been another excellent tournament.

"It's a very good event that puts Forest Hills and the Forest of Dean clubs on the golfing map.

"It is good for us in the Forest and for golf in general that we are seen to host such a prestigious event.

"Both Bells and ourselves are trying to appeal to the wider golfing public in a tough economic climate and events like this are a big help."

Ed made the presentations and then posed for pictures on the stone bridge he built himself beside the new-look 18th green that provides a spectacular scene from the clubhouse.

He was helped by Forest Hills captain Dave Robinson, who also works part-time in the club's pro shop and Forest of Dean president Don Jones, on behalf of the co-sponsors.

Mr Jones, a member of the Forest of Dean Golf Club since it opened in 1972, said: "We enjoyed having the professionals at our course and were impressed with the way they played the game."

West Region secretary Glenn Ross and the players who stayed at the Bells Hotel are in no doubt that great progress is already being made to boost golf in the Dean.

Ross said: "I met the new owners Nigel Galvin and Clive McKeag for the first time and their plans are exciting.

"They have already spent £175,000 on greenkeeping machinery and plans to update the clubhouse and hotel will be revealed shortly."

Gill opened with a five-under-par 64 at Bells and a closing three-under-par 69 at Forest Hills.

Richard Dinsdale (Parc Golf Academy, Newport), the 2009 winner, led by a shot after the first round, but finished second, one shot behind Gill, with a 71 at Hills.

Gloucestershire-based players generally struggled and last year's West Region champion Ian Brown (Newent) shot 69 and 79.

Forest of Dean professional Stuart Jenkins carded scores of 77 and 82, while Simon Aston (Rolls of Monmouth) fared better with 74 and 78. Forest Hills pro Stuart Archibald carded a 78 at Bells and a 77 on his home course.