Pike picks up a maiden victory and it's a near-miss for Dickens

Pike (28), the former Elton Furze amateur star, could even afford a bogey at the last as he won by a shot from Tom Clements (Eaton).

Pike, who has just completed his first year as a PGA assistant, had shown his promise when tied-third in an Order of Merit event at Essendon last month.

And he provided further proof of his talent in North Norfolk with a fine three-under-par 69.

Pike birdied both of the par-fives, either side of the turn. He completed his mastery of the long holes at King’s Lynn with another gain at the 13th.

There was to be one more birdie at the short 16th before his solitary blip at the last.

He picked up a winner’s cheque for £620.

Stuart Brown of Thorpe Wood finished 18th after firing a seven-over 79. He got off to a dreadful start dropping no less than 10 shots on the first five holes.

But there was better news for Brown in tbe preceding event on the East PGA circuit - the Brookmans Park Pro-Am at Hatfield.

He claimed second place in that one with a two-under par 69 - one shot behind tournament winner Mark Talbott of Thorpe Hall Golf Club.

Pike was eighth in this one with a 70.

Brown received a prize of £590 and Pike was in the money again with £220.

Meanwhile there was a best performance of the season for Suzanne Dickens on the Women’s PGA circuit last week.

The Thorpe Wood professional came within a whisker of snatching victory in the big £6,000 Titleist & FootJoy Women’s PGA Championship at Frilford Heath Golf Club.

She was involved in a ding-dong battle with Heather MacRae from Archerfield Links before narrowly missing out on victory and a first prize of £1,000.

MacRae won with two rounds of 69 and Dickens was edged out on countback with her scores of 66 and 72.

Dickens, who picked up £800 for her efforts, topped the leaderboard after a sparkling first round which included seven birdies.