Max Harris, a professional attached to Canford Magna, played in his first Dorset PGA-Bournemouth Alliance and carried off the top prize.

But he had to share the cash with his new boss Martin Cummins, head pro at the club, after they both returned level par rounds of 72 on a difficult scoring day at The Dorset.

As an amateur Harris, 24, represented the Great Britain and Ireland team and played 11 times for England until he turned professional three years ago.

He hits the ball prodigious distances and originally played at Ham Manor in Sussex, but has moved to Bournemouth where his girlfriend is working.

He won a three-year golf scholarship at North Carolina University in America and played with a host of young stars like Charles Howell III, Bryce Molder and Matt Kuchar.

Now he plans to play primarily on the Europro Tour as a stepping stone to the European Tour.

Cummins also shared first place with amateur partner Ashley Coombes, a three-handicapper at Canford Magna, on nine-under-par 63 in the better-ball for the Green and Whitcombe Cups.

Well-known Dorset amateur Steve Sydney, a three-handicapper at Queens Park who has won many events, is a new Alliance member. He linked up with John Challen, who plays off nine at Meyrick, and they also carded 63.

Nick Madden and David Swift were joint third with Isle of Purbeck pair Peter and Martin Jolliffe on 65.

Professional medal: 72 Martin Cummins, Max Harris (Canford Magna), 73 Derwynne Honan (The Dorset), 74 Richard Hill (Queens Park), Ian Brake (Isle of Purbeck), James Baldwin (Parkstone).

Amateur scratch: 79 Neil Madden (Knighton Heath).

Team (Woodland course): 70 points Ian Macfarlane-Thomson, Mike Berry, Colin Robinson (Broadstone), Richard Hill.