Matt's champion and Craig's happy, too!

Matthew Webb completed a memorable season by clinching the PGA North Tour Championships at Blackpool resort Herons' Reach on a course he had previously never even seen.

The 25-year-old, who works as an assistant to his dad Marcus who is pro at Northumberland club Bedlingtonshire, deservedly claimed the title because he was the most consistent player over two rounds.

He strung together 68 and 69, seven-under-par all told, to prevail by a shot from the experienced Simon Edwards, from Windermere, and Swinton Park's David Smith.

Webb racked up five birdies in the first round and then four in the first six holes on the next to atone for three bogies overall.

He said: “This was my first visit to Herons' Reach and I quickly found it suited my game so I enjoyed the challenge."

Earlier in the season Webb, who joined the pro ranks on his 23rd birthday, achieved a rare sequence of results when he won the PGA North Assistants' North East North West Championship at Rockliffe Hall.

He also won the national assistants' qualifier at The Warwickshire and hopes to embark on a full-time playing career. But he admitted: "I don't practise as much as I used to because I don't have time for it but I think about the game a bit more.

"But you've got to be realistic and get your PGA qualifications behind you because it's something you can always fall back on."

Meanwhile Mr Consistency Craig Corrigan from Chilli Dip Golf, near Bolton, finally put his name to the one big title missing from his CV when he clinched the Michael Slater Memorial Order of Merit by 53 points from Carden Park-attached former European Tour player Garry Houston.

Edwards, a twice winner, finished third 100 off the pace.