"THE tournament will miss me."
They were champion Lee Ashbolt's parting words as he bowed out of the Chandler's Ford £1,000 Under-21 Roll-Up.
A record points total, a record 15 finals and a record ten tournament wins has seen the outspoken 21-year-old from Shirley achieve his dream of a first title.
"I said I was going to win it," he smiled.
"I've worked really hard for it. When I set myself out to do something I always try my absolute best to accomplish it."
Ashbolt, who works at the HSBC and plays number one for Beaulieu & East Boldre in the Southampton Premier Division, joined the competition in January, 2006, and won three of the next four finals.
He lost out on a first title in the final week of series nine but, with a singleminded determination to succeed, committed himself to being crowned champion before reaching the age limit.
"I didn't feel as if I was prepared properly then,"
Ashbolt explained.
"This 20 weeks my mind was focused on one thing. I went to the gym three times a week and practised about five times a week.
"I've loved competing against everyone. I'd like to have defended it.
"I'm going to miss the tournament because I am the most competitive person in the world. It's a shame, but everything comes to an end. The tournament will miss me."
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