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Webster takes title in sudden death play-off
From the Swindon Advertiser, first published Friday 4th Aug 2000.
GOLF
SHAUN Webster, from Poole in Dorset, won his first Challenge Tour title in a thrilling finish to the Beazer Homes Challenge Tour Championship at Bowood Golf and Country Club on Sunday.
Webster edged out Scotland's Graham Rankin at the first extra hole of sudden death after the pair had tied on six-under-par 282, Webster after a 69 while Rankin carded 72.
When they returned to the dog-leg 420-yard 18th, Rankin drove into a desperate lie in a fairway bunker and his recovery found the lake that skirts the left side.
Although he hit the green with his second ball, two putts meant a double-bogey six while Webster, who found the green in regulation, knew that he could three-putt and still win.
In the event he took two and stepped up to collect the top prize of £14,619 which hoists him in to sixth spot on the order of merit while Rankin, who won £9,740, leaps to 17th.
This is a great thrill, said Webster, the 1997 English champion.
I have now won at least once each year since I turned professional, but this is the biggest yet. The win means a lot but I feel disappointed for Graham, who had a terrible lie in the bunker.
But on a warm, sunny day it was several hundred spectators who were treated to some superb golf on a majestic course who went home happy, but not quite as much as Webster.
John Low, chief executive of Beazer Homes, the sponsors of the event, said: We were delighted once again to be sponsoring the flagship event of the European Challenge Tour and are always keen to support events on a local basis.
In business and sport it is important to put a little back and the Challenge Tour gives us the opportunity to do that.
High Post scratch player Mark Searle has succeeded county colleague and Wiltshire champion Steve Surry, from Cumberwell Park, as South Western Counties boys' champion.
The 17-year-old Salisbury golfer won the title at Falmouth by a shot from Cornwall's J Mitchell with rounds of 72 and 68.
Searle is the son of Wiltshire vice-captain and nine-times county champion Roger Searle.
He won the Wiltshire colts' stroke-play championship for the second year running at Kingsdown earlier this month and has played for the county with much success since making his debut against Somerset in 1998.
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