Rowlands Castle's Tom Robson celebrates Solent Slam Â

Tom Robson has become just the fifth golfer in a quarter of a century to land the Solent Slam
By The Newsroom
Published 17th Aug 2018, 15:07 BST
Updated 2nd Sep 2018, 22:09 BST
Tom Robson. Picture: Andrew GriffinTom Robson. Picture: Andrew Griffin
Tom Robson. Picture: Andrew Griffin

The Rowlands Castle star successfully defended his Mike Smith Memorial title at Brokenhurst Manor on Saturday.

He then survived Sunday's torrential downpour to shoot a super score to win the Stoneham Trophy and with it scoop the Solent Salver for the best 72-hole aggregate.

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His total of 13-under was one less than club-mate Billy McKenzie's winning score 12 months ago.

Robson continued his fine form of 2018, which has already included a share of 12th place at the Brabazon Trophy and another county championship final.

He teed-up in the last group out in the New Forest alongside England international McKenzie and former Surrey captain David Corben, who had got the better of Robson a week earlier when the two counties clashed at Hayling in the South East League.

And there was only one thing on the Hampshire Colts manager's mind.

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Robson said: '˜Having lost by two to Dave a week earlier, I wanted to get one back over him.

'˜And I knew if I could beat him, I would have a very good chance of keeping the Mike Smith.'

Robson's opening 68, including four birdies, was one better than Corben's score '“ with only Stoneham's Alex Talbot matching his two-under total.

By the time the pair had reached the back nine in the second round, it was clear they were locked in a fight for the glory.

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But Robson, who is now assistant secretary at Rowlands Castle, picked up birdies at the 12th, 13th, 15th and 16th.

His tee shot on the 18th gave him a scare '“ as it looked to be heading out-of-bounds.

But after coming up just short, Robson was able to chip to 20 feet leaving Corben needing a hole out with his second.

However, two fours ensured the former became just the second player after Brokenhurst's Martin Young to win the Mike Smith back-to-back in 28 years.

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The following day Robson recorded an eight-under total in the Stoneham Trophy to complete his Solent Slam.

'˜I hit it very well,' added the Rowlands Castle man.

'˜Making 16 birdies in total was very satisfying.

'˜I don't think more than two of them were longer than 10 feet. I  was hitting it pretty close all day.'

Martin Young was  second on five-under.