GRAHAM Howell set aside worries about the impending birth of his first son to win the new-style Bournemouth Fourball Festival with his career-best tournament round of seven-under-par 64 at Dudsbury.

He achieved his first West Region PGA order of merit title for 16 years after a steady, if unspectacular, round of level par 70 the previous day at Broadstone in an event sponsored by Ringwood Brewery and Dudsbury Golf Club.

Howell, 40, was prepared to rush off the course to be beside his wife Emma if the baby was born early. “It’s due in two weeks but there were signs he is coming early,” he said. “The PGA office were going to alert me of any activity during my round.”

Happily Howell, the teaching professional at nearby Ferndown Forest, was able to concentrate on immaculate iron play, two amazing recovery shots from behind trees to save par at the seventh and ninth holes and outstanding work on the greens where he took 27 putts to card five birdies and an eagle at the sixth.

Russ Berry, assistant at Gloucestershire club Cleeve Hill, held a three-stroke lead after becoming the only player to beat par with three-under 67 at Broadstone.

But Howell drew level at the sixth hole and from then on it was a matchplay battle in the sun. The irrepressible Berry refused to be intimidated by what he described as “awesome golf” from his rival.

They swapped birdies and were five-under for the tournament at the turn. It stayed that way until Howell birdied the 16th to lead for the first time. But when he three-putted from the front of the par five 17th, he allowed Berry to draw level again with a birdie.

But the Gloucestershire man missed the 18th green and failed to get up and down, leaving Howell with his final birdie put from six feet to win an epic contest by two shots.

Howell who said: “I holed lots and made six single putts over the first nine. I have never shot a lower score in an order of merit tournament.

“Russ was playing so well we were keeping each other going and playing some fantastic golf.

Berry, aged 25, said: “I’m going to be known as the best player never to win an order of merit event as this was my fourth second place finish.

“I only missed a couple of greens at Broadstone and thought that if I shot two-under at Dudsbury that would be enough – but with Graham in such brilliant form it wasn’t. I can to sit back and appreciate that there was someone better than me on the day.”

Home player Mark Wiggett sparkled with 66 to take third place from Richard Dinsdale (Parc), who closed with 65, and Chris Gill (Exeter) who returned 67.

Dudsbury owner Beate Braban said: “It was a wonderful tournament and I loved every minute. Hosting such a prestigious tournament raises the profile of the club and made many people enjoy our course and facilities of the only golf hotel in Bournemouth.”

PGA secretary Glenn Ross said: “This was a great opportunity for professionals and amateurs to play together on two outstanding golf courses.”

Falmouth pro Nick Rogers and seven-handicap amateur Brian Craig won the betterball with 87 points, two better than Alun Evans (Newport Links) and Broadstone club captain Chris Terndrup and Jon Bevan (Wessex Golf Centre) and Neil Mossman (Oake Manor).

Other winners: 84 Richard and John Dinsdale (Parc), 84 Graham Howell, Derek Deegan (Ashley Wood), Neil Holman (Torbay), Graham Butson (Broadstone).

Leading final scores: Graham Howell (Ferndown Forest) 70 64, 136 Russell Berry (Cleeve Hill) 67 69, 137 Mark Wiggett (Dudsbury) 71 66, 138 Richard Dinsdale (Parc) 73 65, 139 Chris Gill (Exeter) 72 67, 140 Barry Austin (Downes Crediton) 72 68, 141 Michael Watson (Wessex Golf Centre) 73 68, Richard O'Hanlon (Lanhydrock) 72 69, Richard Sadler (Killiow) 70 71, 142 Danny White (Players) 74 68, Alun Evans (Newport Links)74 68, 143 Ross Jones (Bath) 76 67, Adam Constable (Cardiff) 75 68, Neil Holman (Torbay Golf Centre) 75 68, Lee Thompson (Dudsbury) 72 71.