'I hit a 4 iron onto the front of the 1st and chipped that in. On the 6th I hit it to eight feet and made it. I chipped to about the same distance at the 7th for another birdie.

'My approach to the 8th wasn't good but I holed across the green. On the ninth, it was less than 10 foot.'

This all added up to going out in just 30 shots to start Ben's Amateur Championship. It was the first time Ben had ever done such a feat. He wasn't worried.

'I didn't think about it, no. You know what it is like when you start making a few - the hole looks like a bucket!'

County Captain Graham Hargreaves was delighted with Ben and may have had a little to do with the win -

'I have known Ben for 4 to 5 years. Ben is someone who is continuing to impress me. He has very definitely made that step from the fringes to being an automatic selection. He is obviously chuffed.

'A few weeks ago it was obvious Ben was struggling with putting - lines and breaks etc. We had a couple of sessions up at the Warwickshire with Andy Dunbar and things started to change. Generally its not too much of a problem for a player. Its all a matter of confidence.'

Ben's confidence was high after his morning round of 67. That would soon suddenly change.

'My first shot of the afternoon, off the 10th tee, I pull hooked it left, reloaded and did the same. I could only find the second one. Both were in the real rubbish. I chipped it out and took seven. On the next, the 11th, I pushed it way right into the trees and had to chip out again.'

'After all that, I just said to myself I had to try and play my way back into it. I wanted to get back to level par for the round.'

Ben started that process by hitting a five iron to 15ft at the next for a first birdie of the afternoon. He would make two more birdies plus a bogey at the 16th and had 9 holes to play with the defending champion just two shots back -

''I just thought I had to play my own game. When I got in with the 71, I still thought someone had pipped me, or would pip me, or I would have to get my clubs out again'

The Runner-Up on the day, Russell Heritage, is one of Graham Hargreaves' development squad -

'It was a delight to see Russell up there. He is a class act and could well make it through to the next level. I have included him in the traveling squad for next weekend (the first Midland League match of the season).

'I played with four players over the day - Jon Wetton, Ryan Burton, Rory Kirwan and Bill Nicolson.

'Jon and Ryan were a little bit rusty and neither had particularly special days - Jon is obviously not happy with the way he is swinging it.

'Rory Kirwan was hugely impressive. I was aware of how he is coming along. He hit it very straight and on the three or four occasions he did get out of position, he played quality recovery shots. He is very mature.'

'It was great to see so many of the Development Squad in the Top 20 - the eight regulars who turn up for every session - rib Browning, Russell (Heritage), , Sam Hufton, Jak Hamblett, Andy Evans, Daniel Bardsley, Dale Marson and Neil Taylor. It wasn't a great day for me personally - I had back trouble.'

Ben has held the Boys and Youth Matchplay twice and the Boys Trials. His first major title was the Midland Boys. He went back to his home club Maxstoke for a couple of drinks after the Championships and visited his local pub to tell them of the fantastic news. The celebration started in earnest at the weekend!

Unlike Ernie Els when Ernie won the Open title, the Trophy did not accompany Ben - it's far too valuable!

CLICK HERE for the full gross results

The Top 8 gross scores qualify those players to be in the draw for the centenary Matchplay title.

The Top 25 and ties qualify for the Warwickshire Open in September.

A selection of trophy winners pictures has been added to the gallery for the Amateur to be found in County Men | Championships | Amateur | Pictures

A full gallery of swing shots will be posted very shortly available through this artcile and other related to the Amateur.