NEIL Walker picked up his first title as a professional by winning the Heydon Grange International Open by three shots from Eric Ramsay and Michael Skelton on Saturday. Walker, pictured, who is in his first year on the PGA EuroPro Tour, led throughout th

NEIL Walker picked up his first title as a professional by winning the Heydon Grange International Open by three shots from Eric Ramsay and Michael Skelton on Saturday.

Walker who is in his first year on the PGA EuroPro Tour, led throughout the tournament at Heydon Grange, after rounds of 65 and 68 gave him a two-shot lead going into the final day.

While challenger Martin Sell saw his challenge fade away, Walker maintained his cool to record a level par final round and take the £10,000 winner's cheque.

After dropping just one shot in the opening two days, Walker carded three bogeys and a double bogey, but also produced an eagle and three birdies in his round.

Scotsman Ramsay produced an excellent 68 on Saturday to take a share of second place alongside Wynyard's Skelton, who hit a one-under-par 71.

Bogeys at three of the final four holes mean that John Bandurak slipped to -7 for the tournament after initially looking like Walker's closest challenger on the final day.

A good start to the final round from Jason Levermore saw him move out to -9, but he finished with a 73 to end the tournament on -5 alongside Chris Kelly.

In last Wednesday's pro-am competition at Heydon, Stevenage-based Install Contracts Ltd emerged victorious.

The team of Robert Walker, Jay Francis and Gareth Watson were helped by professional Ben Welch.

A total of 16 teams competed in the event, and among the famous faces on show were former snooker world champion Steve Davis, England rugby international Matt Dawson, and Radio One DJ Spoony.

- Heydon Grange amateur Gwyn Hay and his club's PGA professional Michael Snow are chasing golfing glory in Europe's biggest pro-am competition, the Lombard Trophy.

The pair tee off in the regional final on June 21 at King's Lynn Golf Club, with a luxury five-day trip to Portugal up for grabs if they can fend off stiff competition in the better-ball medal play format.

Hay earned the chance to partner Snow by, winning the club qualifying competition on May 13 with a nett score of 72.

Sponsored by the Royal Bank of Scotland, the Lombard Trophy is now in its 12th year and annually attracts more than 100,000 golfers from across Great Britain and Ireland.

With a prize fund of nearly £80,000, including £10,000 to the winning professional, it remains Europe's largest and most prestigious pro-am event.

The winners of 16 regional finals will enjoy an all-expenses paid trip to compete in the Grand Final held on the Ocean Course, Vale Do Lobo, Portugal from September 6-10.

Hay is a 50-year-old company director from Great Chishill. He is married with a daughter. He has been playing golf for 15 years and plays off a handicap of six.

Michael Snow, 26, has been a professional at Heydon Grange for nine months.

The winning professional in the regional final receives £475, and there are also valuable prizes for the top amateur.