SANDFORD Springs golfer Chris Blunden picked up two trophies at the Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Channel Islands Amateur Golf Championships.

Several north Hampshire players made the trip to Brockenhurst Manor, in the New Forest, for the three-day event.

The championships began with a 36-hole strokeplay qualifying tournament, with the top 16 taking part in a matchplay competition over the course of two days to decide the overall winner.

Blunden got off to a slow start in the qualifying event, finding himself three-over-par through four holes. However, birdies at holes five, 15 and 18 secured a level-par opening round of 70, four shots off the halfway lead.

The Sandford Springs member made a much better start to his second round, picking up shots at the first two holes, but a double-bogey at the fourth undid all of his hard work. Two birdies and two bogeys on the back nine meant a second level-par round of 70.

With the leaders falling away, Blunden ended up top of the pile, winning the Pechell Salver for the best qualifying score on countback after three players ended the competition on par. As a result, he was also crowned Hampshire under-21 champion.

Two other north Hampshire golfers, Sandford Springs' Max Nicholls and Sherborne St John player Billy Watson (North Hants) also qualified for the knockout stages.

Watson was drawn against Blunden in the last 16 and a close match went right down to the final green, Blunden winning by a single hole.

Nicholls also made his exit in the first knockout round, losing 4&3 to Darren Walkley (Hayling).

Blunden came through another close match in the quarter-finals, beating Haydn Reay (Army) by a single hole, but he was unable to get the better of eventual winner Walkley in the last four, losing 3&1.