SALISBURY'S dream of having its own cardiac unit inched closer to reality last week, when the Salisbury Journal High Post Corporate Golf Challenge scooped an amazing £10,440 for the fund.

The sum was far in excess of what organisers of the event had expected and was hailed as a "fantastic boost" for the £1m Ace of Hearts Appeal.

Thirty local businesses entered teams in last Thursday's challenge at the High Post course.

Guest of honour for the day was Hampshire and ex-England cricketer Robin Smith, who teed off and presented the prizes at the end of play.

Salisbury District Hospital chairman David Noble, who also chairs the hospital charity Share, which is running the Ace of Hearts appeal, spent the whole day at the course and made a point of thanking each team as they set out.

As befits a big golfing occasion, the day also produced a hole-in-one, when Richard Nash achieved the feat at the 155-yard 11th hole.

It was Richard's first-ever hole-in-one and the perfect way to celebrate what was his 30th birthday.

Eventual prize-winners in the challenge were: Top lady, Angela Eadie; lowest gross score and individual winner with a gross 67, Peter Bicknell. Team 1st, Pewsey Radiovision; 2nd, L E West; 3rd, Mahle Filter Systems.

The win meant that Pewsey Radiovision, whose team comprised Peter Bicknell, Dr Ken Clark, Alistair Clark and team captain and owner of the company Kevin Arthur, retained the trophy they won a year ago.

In a speech accepting the trophy, Kevin said he and the team were delighted to win and thanked all those involved in the organisation, High Post golf club manager Peter Hickling and his staff and the Journal as major sponsor.

Salisbury District Hospital cardiologist Dr Simon Biggart, who played on the day, joined Robin Smith in congratulating head greenkeeper Laughlan Millar on the superb condition of the golf course.

And he confirmed that the money raised from the challenge meant that plans for building the cardiac unit at the hospital would now go ahead.

Organiser of the challenge John Peters said he was overwhelmed by the help and generosity of local businesses that supported the challenge.

He added: "To raise over £10,000 in one day is incredible and is a great reward for four months' work.

"It makes you want to do it again next year."

He revealed next year's event would take place on Thursday, June 2.

A raffle and an auction, in which prizes included a trip to Monaco, signed football shirts and a round of golf for four at High Post, contributed to the amount raised.