Dearden lays down a marker

Matt Dearden rates Dudsbury as one of his favourite courses and he turned the clock back five years by winning the pro-am on the eve of the 36-hole Order of Merit Dudsbury Masters tournament at the Bournemouth course.

He beat local favourite Lee Thompson in a play-off in an exciting climax to the main event in 2012. This helped him into the Titleist PGA Play-Offs over the PGA Sultan course at Antalya in Turkey for the only time.

Now the 38-year-old Vale Resort professional has announced himself by showing top form in the pro-am sponsored by Ringwood Brewery and Dudsbury Golf Club before today's tournament.

He came in late with a round of five-under-par 65 to beat fellow Welshman Toby Hunt (St Mellons) by two shots on a rainy day beside the seaside. He started with a birdie, was three under after six and one errant shot on the seventh which ledto a double-bogey six was his only blemish in a round which included four birdies on the way home.

Hunt made four birdies and Adam Curtis, the young Bude and North Cornwall assistant who is showing immense promise, filled third spot on two-under 69 aided by three birdies.

Michael Watson (Wessex Golf Centre), Stuart Little (Minchinhampton New), Gary Milne (Woodbury Park) and Jon Bevan (Sherborne) shared fourth on 70. Mark Searle (High Post) and Richard O'Hanlon (St Kew) were a further shot back.

In the team event Dearden also finished runner-up seven points behind runaway winner Chris Gill (Newquay) who shot 123. His total of 130 was one better than the team led by Richard O'Hanlon (St Kew).