A Caerphilly councillor has finished third in the American Golf UK Long Drive Championship in Warrington.
Cllr Steve Kent was beaten in the semi-finals by eventual winner William Hunt-Tyrell.
Mr Kent, 49, was one of the favourites going into the final and performed consistently throughout.
The cllr for the St Martins ward won the Over 45 national title in 2015.
The UK final saw top long drivers compete from across Europe and a victory in Warrington would have seen Mr Kent qualify for the World Championships in the United States.
He eased through the event’s early rounds before beating Finnish long driver Marko Mustonen with a 346 yard shot in the quarter finals.
A semi-final against Hunt-Tyrell was a step too far however, as the Irishman sealed his place in the final in the deciding third set.
Speaking after the event, Mr Kent said: “I have hit the ball well all day but just couldn’t pull it all together in the semi-final.
“The standard at the American Golf Championship is getting better every year and while I’m disappointed not to have got through to the final I know I lost to a great hitter in William.
“I’ll be back next year for another try and aim to go at least one better.”