Berkshire golfer Guy Woodman completed a unique double today (Monday) in winning the inaugural Crown Golf English PGA Assistants' Championship.
The 31-year-old's victory at Batchworth Park Golf Club, Hertfordshire, followed his triumph in the prestigious Powerade PGA Assistants' Championship at the London Golf Club last month.
The win means Woodman, the assistant PGA professional at East Berkshire Golf Club, has now earned the right to take on the cream of the European Tour in two of next season's biggest tournaments.
Victory at the London Club qualified him for the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth in May while this lastest triumph booked his place in the English Open at St Mellion, Cornwall.
"My schedule's looking pretty full for next year," joked Woodman who, in a tense finale in the gathering gloom, needed five extra holes to end the challenge of Hampshire's Ben Cummings.
Woodman looked certain to claim the title and £810 share of the £6,000 prize money when he carded his second successive round of 70 to finish four-under-par and establish a two-stroke clubhouse lead.
But Cummings, the 28-year-old assistant PGA professional at Dummer Golf Club, eradicated that in spectacular fashion.
Having driven all but 55 yards of the par four 384-yard 17th, Cummings holed his approach for an eagle to effectively force a sudden-death play-off.
And the title looked his when Woodman faced a tricky six-foot putt at the fourth extra hole to stay in contention.
"There was a eight-inch break in the putt," said Woodman, "but I felt I'd go on and win if I holed it. Having said that, Ben pushed me very hard and I needed to ride my luck to beat him."
Woodman took advantage of Cummings making a bogey at the fifth extra hole and head the field of 30 who had qualified for the final from an initial entry of more than 250.
The tournament, which carried an overall prize fund of £16,000, was open exclusively to English or England-based assistants currently on the PGA training programme.
Commenting on its success, Stephen Cox, PGA director of golf, said: "The close finish shows the depth of talent there is among assistant professionals and the PGA is delighted this tournament has been introduced to showcase it.
"Crown Golf is to be congratulated for backing it and continuing to develop and support grassroots golf. We hope to work with them in the future to grow this event."