Craig Phillips led by example as he booked his place in the Glazerite Trophy next month with victory in the pre-qualifying tournament at Wellingborough Golf Club.
The head pro at Nuneaton Golf Club and vice-chairman of the Midland Professional Golfers' Association, he shot a level par 72, leading home Shirley's Andrew Barton and Neil Evans, of Greetham Valley, on the same score.
Phillips fired four birdies at the fifth, seventh, 12th and 15th and would have been the outright leader by a good stretch had he not given four shots back to the course.
Jeremy Nicholls, of Ledene GC, headed nine players who finished one over par to be among the 34 qualifiers for the Glazerite Trophy proper back at Wellingborough on May 8.