GAVIN Lingard won the third PGA Southern Tour event staged at Donnington Valley Golf Club, near Newbury, after a sudden-death play-off with West Berkshire's Paul Simpson.

Both professionals shot identical rounds on separate days, 66 and 68 respectively, to tie on 134, eight-under-par and set up an exciting finish.

A two-hour delay because of last Sunday's thunder storm did not affect the games of Lingard and Simpson on the final day.

But it was Lingard who emerged triumphant. After both players made par threes at the sudden-death ninth hole, Lingard made three to Simpson's four.

The Chelsfield Lakes professional took home the winner's cheque of £1,235 and bronze statue of a golfer.

The play-off capped a fine two days of golf. The course record was equalled by Steve Cowle, from Blacknest, on Saturday.

He shot a six-under-par 65 to lead after 18 holes from Simpson (-5) and Surbiton's Neil Reilly (-4), also course record holder.

Newbury Golf Centre's Matthew Woods, playing alongside Cowle, shot a level par 71. He said: "I started with an eagle at the first and let it slip from there, which was disappointing. I need to find a swing by tomorrow as I am not happy with my game."

But he shot a 73 in the final round for a joint 23rd finish. Other local finishers were John Hoskison (71, 74) and Nick Mitchell (72, 74), from the Newbury Golf Centre in 27th and 30th place.

Donnington Valley professionals Gareth Edwards (74, 77) and Martin Balfour (71, 80) tied for 54th.

General manager of Donnington Valley Golf Club, Peter Smith, said: "The 2003 Donnington Valley Classic Competition proved to be a very eventful weekend.

"Thanks to the course improvements year on year the pro's were able to return the best scores possible."

On the Friday before the tournament, more than 130 golfers took part in the Pro-Am.

Onlookers watched in amazement to witness two holes in one on the 9th hole - the first by Ged Griffin of Universal Commercial Vehicles and the second by Mick Allen of Heathfields Golf Centre.

Each received a bottle of champagne from the sponsors of the hole JK Internet.

The excitement heightened further when three teams came in on 12-under-par.

After a count back the winners were ex Ryder Cup player, Steve Richardson, from Lee on Solent, and the JK Internet team of Derek Lake, Kevin Dunwell and Andy Willoughby.

Second place went to Pro' Paul Dorelli, from Oaks Sports Centre, with James Storey, Chris Clacy and Gareth Clarke, who are all members of Donnington Valley Golf Club.

In third place was Donnington's Gareth Edwards with Terry Edwards and father and son team John and Lee Frame.

The individual winner of the Pro-Am was Simpson with a round of 67.