A PRESTON golfer has swung himself into a trip to Spain after winning the regional final of the Mazda Pairs National Golf Championship.

Chris Atherton, of Fulwood, has secured a trip to one of the finest golf courses in Europe after teaming up with a work colleague and beating 23 other pairings.

He said: "I am very happy and surprised that we were able to win the tournament."

Chris and his partner David Bagshaw didn't think they had won when they carded a points score of 44 - with a bogey scoring one point, par two and birdie three.

However as the teams came in to the Moor Allerton clubhouse, in Leeds, the two began to think they had a chance. They then found out they had tied with another pair.

Chris explains: "We suddenly began to realise that we were in with a shot of winning. Then we were told that the two teams on 44 went on a count-back - we scored more points on the back nine and won."

Chris and David will now play in the national event at La Manga Resort Club from November 21-24.

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