AARON Crabb was crowned champion in the East Berks Stag, a 36-hole scratch amateur competition hosted by the Crowthorne club.

The talented youngster (0hcp) shot an opening round two-under par 67 to lead by one shot from Benjamin Bushnell (1hcp) from the Hindhead GC and James Atkins (1hcp) from North Hants GC after the morning round.

A member of the Windwhistle club in Somerset, he maintained his form in the second round, recording a one-under-par 68 to finish on 135, three under par, to win the tournament by three shots from Justin Chan (2hcp) from Wentworth GC.

Chan shot rounds of 71 and 67, with third place on a countback going to Brandon Meads (+2hcp) from the Chelmsford club with rounds of 70 and 69 for 139. Fellow club member Benjamin Humphrey (0hcp) returned 69 and 70.

The Stag Team event – which attracted players from Surrey, Hertfordshire, Essex, Berks, Bucks and Oxon and Hampshire – was won by the Essex A trio of Meads, Humphrey and Shay McQueen (73 and 68) with a total score of 419.

Other notable scores on the day of par or better were returned by Joel Smith (2hcp) of Tadmarton Heath with 67, Hartley Wintney's Jamie Mullin (2hcp) 68, Letchworth player Niall Johnston (+1hcp) 69 and Jack Carling (1hcp) 69 from East Berks.

Scoring on the day in the changeable weather conditions was excellent with the course in great condition, thanks to the course manager Derrick Johnstone and his team of greenkeepers, with their work being complimented by the players.

The East Berks Stag was first played in 1976 with Crabb following in the footsteps of previous winners that include major winner Sandy Lyle.