Saltford's Curtis Edwards became the new Somerset county champion after defeating Phil White (Wells) in a play-off in which he says he played the best golf of his career.

The 20-year-old full-time golfer from Taunton, who learned to play at the Taunton and Pickeridge course where the championship was staged, beat White by four shots in a four-hole play off.

He said: "I have never hit the ball so well in my life and could have made birdies on all four holes instead of just the last two.

"It was my best win by far – the putts dropped for me and I got up and down when I missed the greens."

Edwards opened with three-under-par 66 but slipped back to one-over 70 as White closed in with two rounds of 68. But the surprise packet was home player Sam Sloman, aged 15. He came within two shots of being the youngest ever Somerset champion, finishing third. He won the Arthur Evans trophy as the best junior.

Edwards, who qualifies for Wales because of his maternal grandmother, is now hoping to win international recognition. He finished second in the Welsh Youth Championship at Radyr a display that was noted by Welsh coach Neil Matthews.

He has now entered for men's tournaments in Wales to further his claim.

Burnham's scratch trio of Gregory, Ellis Cook and Lane will also be represent ing Somerset in the national championship club finals at North Hampshire GC on September 12-13.

Final scores:

136 Curtis Edwards (Saltford) 66-70

136 Philip White (Wells) 68 - 68,

137 Sam Sloman (Taunton & Pickeridge

138 Louis Boston (Bath) 71 -67 David Gregory (Burnham & Berrow) 69-69

138 Craig Adams (Farrington) 67-71

140 Laurie Canter (Saltford) 71 69

140 Justin Lane (Burnham) 68 72

●Filton's Jonny Doidge,14, won his club's Open by two shots with rounds of 83 and 77.

The 12-handicapper won the trophy plus a specially struck Centenary Year commemorative silver medal for his efforts throught the event.