The Cleveland Golf / Srixon Invitational came to a thrilling conclusion this week as the team of Martyn Stubbings and James Thompson (Dinsdale GC) beat their final group pairing of Ian Benson and Reuben Evans (Hindhead GC).

After a tough first round on the Kintyre course at Turnberry, the second round saw the sun come out on the immaculate Ailsa Championship Course as the event’s own “Duel in the Sun” started to unfold in the final group, with those in the clubhouse following the live leaderboard closely on the VPAR Scoring system, which was used over the course of the two days. The last two pairs came down the 18th hole of the Ailsa Championship Course locked together at 10-under-par. Dinsdale GC professional Martyn Stubbings made an excellent birdie three to secure the victory on countback after Hindhead GC’s amateur player Reuben Evans also secured another birdie for his team down the last.

As well as the team event there was also an individual competition for the pros. With a field containing some of the best club pro’s from the UK it was a hotly contested title. Over the historic links at Turnberry it was Scotsman Keith Baxter who held his nerve down the last hole needing a par to beat Derek Watters (Gourock GC) by one stroke with a total of 1-over-par for the two rounds.

In the process, Baxter picked up a winner’scheque for £2,000 with runner-up Watters pocketing £1,000. Baxter becomes the first Scottish winner of the annual Cleveland Golf and Srixon Pro Am Invitational, taking the title from Cleveland Golf and Srixon Short Game Ambassador Ben Clayton who finished the event in 11th place on 7-over-par after a tough 2 days on the greens.

Cleveland Golf and Srixon European Marketing Manager, Ben Davis, said: “A big thank you must go to Turnberry for hosting such a fantastic event and also to our customers for their loyal support of the Cleveland Golf and Srixon brands during the season.

“Everyone at Cleveland Golf and Srixon would like to congratulate Martyn Stubbings and his playing partner James Thompson on a fantastic win. We are also delighted for Keith Baxter and are pleased to say we have our first Scottish winner of the individual’s event in the Cleveland Golf /Srixon Invitational.”

Martyn Stubbings, head professional at Dinsdale Golf Club said, “This is a truly amazing event, the venue was incredible, the event team were first class and my playing partner played brilliantly, which helped us secure the victory. We cannot wait for next year to be able to come back and defend our title.”