A member at Foxhills, in Ottershaw, will be winging his way to Mauritius after winning the inaugural Beachcomber Tours' Road to Mauritius Golf Championship at the prestigious Stoke Park, in Berkshire.
Jonathan Webster, 46, a marketer who plays off a 21 handicap, scored 38 Stableford points, but was separated from Stoke Park's Jerome Drouin only on countback. And it was that narrow margin that will see the former enjoying seven nights on the idyllic Indian Ocean island.
More than 500 competitors had started out in the competition at six venues in the Home Counties: Foxhills, Hindhead GC, and Windlesham GC, in Surrey; Golf at Goodwood and Mannings Heath GC, in Sussex; and Stoke Park Country Club, Spa & Hotel, in Berkshire.
Four members from each venue won through to the final at Stoke Park knowing they were just one good round of golf away from winning a luxury seven-night golf holiday for two at Paradis Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa.
The prize, courtesy of Guildford-based Beachcomber Tours - which has been exploring Mauritius since 1952, when it opened the island's first hotel - comprises a seven-night dinner, bed and breakfast break for two, in a deluxe room at the Paradis Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa, with complimentary flights from London, private hotel transfers and unlimited golf at Paradis Golf Club.
A delighted Webster, who lives in Windsor, said: "I didn't have any expectations on the day; I was surprised to have won. I played well and shot 38 points, but it was so close - I think nearly half the field were within three shots of winning.
"I thought it was a terrific tournament, with some great courses chosen for the qualifiers. Stoke Park was an excellent venue to play the final. I still haven't decided who I'm taking, but I've certainly had no shortage of offers from other members at my golf club.
"I've spent much of my life in South Africa, but I've never ventured to Mauritius - I don't really know what to expect yet. I'm definitely looking forward to chilling out, playing some golf and enjoying the weather. I'm aiming to make the most of it and head out there in the British winter."
Beachcomber Tours' marketing manager, Mark Boullé, added: "Congratulations to Jonathon, who will undoubtedly have a fabulous experience in Mauritius.
"The Paradis is an idyllic location to enjoy golf. And Mauritius itself has so much to commend it: the powder-soft sand, clear turquoise seas, colourful rainforests, and year-round warm weather, the hospitable people and the delicious fusion of Chinese, Indian and European food."
Paradis Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa is widely regarded as one of the premier resorts on the Indian Ocean, with a winning combination of beautiful beach location, a huge choice of luxury accommodation, a great selection of activities and wonderful cuisine.
It enjoys an enviable position at the tip of the stunning Le Morne peninsula surrounded by more than three miles of beautiful beach, while the 6,479-yard, par 72 course runs along the coast at the foot of the magnificent Le Morne Mountain, necessitating shots across the Indian Ocean. You will enjoy the challenge of having to hit the ball over the edge of the Indian Ocean on at least five holes.
Situated in the Indian Ocean, the beautiful island of Mauritius - which is approximately the size of Surrey - is 1,200 miles from the coast of Africa and is a 12-hour flight away from the UK.
Any Home Counties club wishing to be considered for the 2018 event should contact Matt Lacey on 01730 711932 or email matt.lacey@theazaleagroup.com.
For further information on Beachcomber Tours or Paradis Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa, please call 01483 445 621 or visit www.beachcombertours.uk/paradis-beachcomber.
ENDS
About Beachcomber Tours
Beachcomber Tours is an independent luxury tour operator specialising in holidays to Mauritius and the Seychelles. It has been based in Guildford High Street since 1989 and opened Mauritius' first hotel in 1952.
Paradis Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa is the complete Mauritius experience, with a winning combination of beautiful beach location, a huge choice of luxury accommodation, a great selection of activities and wonderful cuisine.