2013 finalists found at stunning Stoke Park

The Regional Final stages of the 2013 Britain's Best Putter are well under way after a fantastic day at Stoke Park. Glorious sunshine made the backdrop of the Stoke Park mansion house even more impressive as competitors battled it out for the title of South East Champion.

The enormous putting green allowed for a varied and interesting 18 hole putting course. Players from all over the area took part and tested out a wide range of Odyssey putters under plenty of pressure. With a place in the Grand Final at stake, the main goal of the day was to reach the top four qualifying spots, with qualifying golfers also receiving an Odyssey putter as a prize.

The 18 hole stroke play challenge was set in order to find the top 16 players. Thorney Park member Mark Towner took the number one seed spot with a very impressive 31 putts, the best 18 hole total of all the Regional Finals so far. With 15 players guaranteed a place in the match play stages, five players battled it out with a nearest the hole, long putt challenge. It was Bob Whitby of Springs Golf Club who took the place with the final putt of the playoff.

As in previous Regional Final events, seeding from the stroke play stage proved a good barometer of form with the top three seeds all making it through to the semi finals and securing a place at The Belfry for the Grand Final. These three were Towner, Hal Boddington of Manston Golf Club and Terry White of Woodlands Manor. They were joined by Aylesbury Park's Graham Hicks.

In the end the final was played out between top seeds Towner and Boddington, with Towner eventually taking the crown of South East Champion 2013. What makes his win even more impressive is that just two months ago his coach, Matthew Potter, worked with Towner and completely rebuilt his putting stroke. This was due to the fact that the 7 handicapper was struggling so badly on the greens. This victory certainly reinforces the advice of the Thorney Park professional, and shows what hard work on the greens can do. All four finalists will now compete in the Grand Final for the chance to be Britain's Best Putter 2013 and to win a holiday to LUMINE Mediterránea Beach & Golf Club in Southern Spain.