CANTERBURY golfer Gary Tottman had a week to remember when he represented the Kent Messenger Group in the national Sunshine Challenge finals in Portugal.

The 29-year-old taxi driver, who plays off a five handicap at Canterbury Golf Club, finished third and capped off a great seven days with his first hole in one.

Tottman, who became the 13th winner of the Kent Messenger title in September when he beat 10-handicap Wrotham Heath's David Jenner in the matchplay event final, was battling against other regional newspaper winners in the Algarve for the right to be crowned national champion.

He got off to a solid start by scoring 33 points at the impressive Morgado course and followed that up with 30 at the tough new Boavista lay-out.

That combined 63 points left him off the pace to win the event but a 32 at Palmares on the final competition day saw him finish third behind Bournemouth winner Julian Taylor.

Delighted with his achievement, he played Morgado on the final morning before he flew home and achieved his first hole-in-one.

Playing with father Dave, Seasalter member Sid Silk and friend Roy Sunnock, he aced the par-3 17th with a 4-iron. Picking up his tee peg, he knew his shot was close to the hole but it was only when Dave drove down to the hole in his buggy and started celebrating that his achievement sunk in.

"What a great end to a great week," said Gary after a round at Canterbury on Tuesday. Dad has won the Kent competition once and has had a hole-in-one and so now have I.

"I played tee to green well all week but I found the pace of the greens difficult. Still, I was delighted with third place."

Next year's Sunshine Challenge will be launched in Kent Messenger Group newspapers in January.