PROFESSIONAL golfer Rod Cameron earned the perfect wedding present when he played in the Lee-on-Solent Pro-Am yesterday.

Tournament sponsors had put up a prize of £10,000 for anyone achieving a hole-in-one at the 178-yard 13th.

And 13 sure proved lucky for 26-year-old Meon Valley assistant pro Cameron who holed his tee shotfor an ace to scoop the jackpot.

Rod's marrying long-time girlfriend Kate Welsh in five weeks time, and he couldn't wait to get off the golf course to give his fiance the great news.

Mike Donnally, Stuart Miles and Barnbrook Systems, who put up the prize money at the 13th , were smiling, too, for they were insured against having to pay out on a hole-in-one!

Cameron explained: "One of my amateur partners pointed out that there was £10,000 on offer for a hole in one by a professional at the 13th. So I suppose we were all up for it.

"I aimed an eight iron left and let the contours of the green bring the ball in towards the hole. It went in virtually at right angles and I got a great view of it because the tee there is elevated.

"When the ball disappeared I couldn't quite believe what was happening. But there was a loud cheer from about 30 people behind the green to confirm it.

"I didn't telephone Kate because I wanted to go and tell her personally just to see the look on her face. What a surprise! The biggest cheque I'd earned before this was £700 for winning a pro-am.

"The money will help cover what we've paid for the wedding," beamed Cameron, who lives with Kate in Hedge End.

David Wheeler, secretary of the Hampshire PGA who were organising the tournament, said: "No-one has ever won a cheque of that size in one of our competitions before. Rod was shaping up for a good score when the ball went in at 13 but I think he got so excited afterwards that he found it hard to concentrate and he came in with a 71 which was two over par."

Cameron, sponsored by car dealers Perry's of Portsmouth, hopes to complete a dream double next week when Meon Valley announce the new head professional in succession to Jason O'Malley who is leaving for Norwich.

"I've put in for the job and I'm keeping by fingers crossed," said Cameron. You've got to fancy the lad's chances!

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.