BOWOOD'S England A squad member Sam Matton is destined for a meeting with six-time Major champion Nick Faldo after a victory at the Vale of Glamorgan club near Cardiff.

The 36-hole Faldo Series championship, played over two days, wassplit into three age groups - under 21, 18s 16s, the older category featuring 22 players with handicaps ranging from one to plus three.

Matton, also a member at Swindon's Broome Manor course, shot a one-over-par round on the par 73 Wales National Championship course to lie second, one off the early pace set by Jonathon Hewitt at level par 73.

Matton's fellow Wiltshire player, 17-year-old Callum Brown, of Upavon GC, also scored 73 - the low round of the day to lead the under 18 bracket, by two shots.

Day two took place amid the remnants of Hurricane Bill, with winds gusting up to 40 mph and torrential rain threatening a washout.

But Matton, who won the Duncan Putter in April and also finished well in the previous week's European Amateur Championship, drew upon his growing experience to card the day's low round of 78 (five over) in the toughest playing conditions he has ever encountered.

His total of 152 (six over) secured his second win in 2009 by four shots over James Phillips and henow progresses to the Faldo Series Grand Final which is to be held at Itanhanga Golf Club in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on October 28-30.

The delighted player said: “I’m really thrilled to have won this event. I have played in the Faldo Series for the last five years now and have narrowly missed qualification on two previous occasions.

"I can’t wait to get to Brazil when I’ll meet Nick Faldo and be watched by one of the all-time greats.

"Hopefully, Nick will pass on some of his expertise as I’m eager to learn.''