Blackmoor Golf Club’s Sam Parsons was left exasperated as Hampshire were cruelly denied a South East double – and their first Challenge League title – when he was beaten in a dramatic play-off.

Essex’s England under-16 cap Charlie Croker held his nerve to make a birdie at the second-extra hole, as the defending champions held on to their title in a dramatic play-off at Norfolk’s Wensum Valley Golf & Country Club.

Parsons, the 2024 Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Channel Islands Amateur Champion, could not match Croker’s four as he sank a 12-foot downhiller with plenty of break, sending the Essex team home jubilant, while the losers had a long journey back to the south coast.

Hampshire Golf assistant secretary Chris Harrison, who was with the team that won the South East League crown for the second year in a row, said: “The team discussed at lunchtime who would fancy it, if it went to a play-off.

“Everyone looked at Sam, as our county champion. A couple of the boys, including James Atkins, and our captain Harrison Pake, said they would do it, but everyone agreed it should be Sam, who had played really well in the foursomes.

“The decision had to be confirmed to the organisers after the match had ended in a draw, and we all felt it was still the right decision.

“Sam hit an incredible drive past Charlie’s on the first after losing the toss for the honour, and then saw Croker’s ball bounce on to the green – when it could have easily gone in the bunker – before losing to a birdie.

“The rules were changed last year to allow for a play-off in the event of a tie, and it certainly added to the drama and excitement. It was certainly a spectacle at the death.

“I think most of us accept sharing the trophy after a tie is a bit of an anti-climax, but losing the final having played so well is very cruel.

“Hopefully that will motivate everyone to come back and win it next year.”

Parsons had already seen one chance to claim the title evade his grasp on the 17th green as Hampshire were left needing just a point to win the match outright, but he missed a six-footer when one-up, before being held to a half on the last.

Watching was Rob Wheeler, who had been pegged back on the last by Croker for a half in the morning foursomes – and then narrowly lost the top singles match 2&1.

The recently-crowned Hampshire Open winner said: “Sam had a six-footer to win on 17 in regulation that slipped by. He needed just a half to win outright and give us the trophy on the 18th.

“His opponent hit his tee shot on to the first hole on Wensum’s other course – but there was no out-of-bounds surprisingly.

“The Essex guy hit his third into the par-five to a matter of inches, while Sam – who hit the perfect drive – was left with a 15-footer for birdie which just missed.”

With Parsons up against Croker, both players made four on the first. Charlie had followed his putt in – only to see it break in the last couple of revolutions – sending the match down the 18th.

And this time the teenager, who has been named in England’s under-18 squad for 2025, converted his putt.

In the foursomes, Wheeler was again paired with Luke Hodgetts – having won all three of their foursomes matches this season. But Teddy Hobbs and Croker won the last to snatch a half in the top game.

North Hants Golf Club’s Atkins was partnered with 15-year-old club-mate Albie Beeston, the Hampshire junior champion. Having been two-down for most of the game, they birdied the 17th to renew hope of gaining what could have proved to have been a decisive half.

But Essex birdied the last to win by two as the North Division winners led 2.5-1.5 at lunch – thanks to Pake and Parsons’ 6&4 win, which cancelled out a 6&5 defeat for Hayling’s Joe Foster and Rich Harris.

The South Division champions fought back to take the singles, but it was Essex who got the upper hand.

By Andrew Griffin