Lee-on-the-Solent's Rob Edwards and Andy Green were left dreaming of what might have been when they were pipped on the final green for a place in the Portugal final of the Lombard Trophy.
The Lee pair, up against 73 other two-man teams who had qualified for the regional final from clubs across the south-east, looked to be heading for Europe's biggest pro-am grand final as they led from Darenth Valley's David Copsey and Terry Johnson at Camberley Heath Golf Club, Surrey.
But club pro Copsey curled in a four-foot bidie putt on the 18th to tie the scores at 11 under par - and the Darenth pair then won with a back nine countback.
"I knew with three holes to go that 11 under was leading," said Copsey. "At eight under that meant we had to birdie our way in. I managed it at 16 and 18 and my amateur partner holed a great six-foot putt in between."
Partner Johnson said: "Playing in the Lombard pro-am is the biggest thing I have ever done and now, to make the final and think of playing San Lorenzo on the Algarve is just mind-blowing to me."
Solent professional Edwards, who had six birdies in a row on the front nine, consoled himself with the thought that later this year he is considering having his fourth tilt at winning his full player's card on the European Tour.
"I won the Danish Open on the Challenger Tour in 1995 and I've come close to picking up my full card," he said. "Ok, I'm 36 now but I haven't given up the dream yet. Not really. And my club have said they will back me. Losing out here on a countback is a disappointment but that's golf for you."
Other Hampshire duos were also in the running. Guy Shoesmith and nine-handicapper David Brown of Basingstoke, finished one stroke behind the leaders on nett 62.
And Gary Stubbington and Barry Woolgar (12) of Hockley and Andrew Gordon and Ross Sinclair (14) of Stoneham - along with Bournemouth's David Miles and Robert Pitt (14) - were all in equal fifth place on nett 65.
Results: 1 Copsey/Johnson (8) 61, 2 Edwards/Green (8), 3 Guy Shoesmith/David Brown (9) Basingstoke, 4 Glen Ralph/Ian Gatland (10) Camberley Heath.
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