Last year Alastair Strange suffered the agony of defeat at the semi-final stage of the Observer Sunshine Challenge matchplay tournament.

But this time around there was no messing as Strange booked his seat on the plane to Portugal.

The 29-year-old put together two majestic rounds on finals day at Bognor Regis Golf Club to be crowned Observer champion.

But he was made to fight all the way on a day when all four golfers played shots worthy of securing a passport to the Algarve.

The morning semi-finals paired six-handicapper Strange with Chichester Golf Club member Andrew Steward.

Strange made the early running and was three-up after four holes.

But Steward, who plays off 13, came storming back and the pair were all-square at the turn.

Steward (34) won the next two holes and was still two-up after 15. But Strange was not going to miss out for a second year and claimed the last three holes for victory.

The other semi-final saw Cowdray Park senior David Hirons meet Chichester Golf Club member Alan Hawkins.

Hirons (69) also made the final four last year but, like Strange, was beaten at the semi-final stage.

Hawkins (64) showed no sign of nerves as he went one up at the fifth and there was never more than one shot in it as the pair battled for a spot in the final.

Six-handicapper Hirons finally forged his way in front on the 16th and then won the 18th to finish two-up.

Strange started slowly in the afternoon and lost his ball on the first as Hirons went one-up.

But the young farmer held his nerve to hit back and looked comfortable as the pair reached the turn.

Hirons three-putted at the tenth to go two-down and that was the spark for an outstanding run of consistent golf by Strange, including an impressive birdie on the stoke index one par-four 12th.

Hirons hit back to win holes 15 and 16, but Strange secured a par on the 17th for a 2&1 victory.

Strange said: "I found it hard to get going in the afternoon but then I had a nice little run in the middle and managed to stay in front.
"
I really enjoy playing David. We had a great battle in the play-off last year and it was the same this time around."

Now Strange will be gunning for the national title from November 2 to 9.

He'll be staying at the clifftop Almansor Hotel and playing at four of the region's most popular courses.

It'll be his second visit to the Algarve in under a month – next week he flies out with 20 friends to compete in their own WRR Invitational
tournament.