THIS year's European Tour School proved to be a disaster for the group of Dorset professionals who invested £1,000 each in a bid to join the multi-million pound tour.

Former Dorset county player Ben Welch, who opted for French course Golf de Moliets, is the only player with local connections through to the next round. He claimed 20th place.

The others failed to win one of the 149 spots available and returned home empty-handed. Carl Jessup, who battled through to the final stage last year, was even forced to return home after just three rounds as he was so far behind. He shot 82 79 and 77 at Chart Hills.

He said: "Unfortunately I was unlucky with the draw and was out early on the first day in the rain and a gale. Some par threes were unreachable. The weather cleared up for the late starters. It is disappointing but I wasn't really playing that well going into the event and hit some loose shots."

Former Parkstone and Dorset county player David Norton (75 75 78) and Welshman Rob Thomas (Broadstone and The Dorset G and CC) returned 78 76 and 75 to join Jessup on the early journey home.

At least Dean Barnes (Ferndown) stayed for the week and finished 48th with a total of 293 (78 69 75 71).

It was a similar story at Carden Park where Sean McDonagh (Rushmore Park) was clearly affected by a recent wrist injury and also made an early return after 81 76 72. So did Richard Pullen (Ashley Wood) who scored 78 79 and 78

Paul Jones (Canford Magna) lasted the pace with 75 76 75 75 to finish 71st on 301. Weymouth's Jon Bevan (Wessex Golf Centre) survived three rounds after 72 78 and 79.

Isle of Purbeck quartet John Newbon, Keith Robinson, John Trim and Andy Jones romped away with the prizes in the Dorset PGA-Bournemouth Alliance captain's day at Broadstone.

They logged 101 points, representing 11-under-par in the stableford format demanding two scores to count on the first nine holes and three on the inward nine.

They picked up seven shots over the first nine and four coming home to beat three other teams by a comfortable four strokes.

Trim, the lowest handicapper off seven, anchored the team with two birdies and eight pars. Jones also made two birdies.

Michael Watson (Weymouth) won the professional prize with a one-under-par 70 containing birdies at the first, sixth and ninth holes, that summed up the tough windy conditions on one of the most demanding courses in Dorset.

He said: "Tee to green I was very good, but I missed a lot of chances and four-putting the 16th didn't help. I played well enough to shoot 65."

It was his first Alliance outing for four months and his first victory since the Christmas meeting at Ferndown in December.

Dorset county player Giles Legg (Dudsbury) was again the leading amateur. A 73 should have been even better for he dropped two shots on the last.

Alliance captain Terry Clark arranged for generous sponsorship from Lexus of Poole to produce the largest prize fund in the history of the Alliance.

Professional medal: 69 Michael Watson (Weymouth, £400), 70 Kevin Spurgeon (Dudsbury), Martyn Thompson (Parkstone), Mark Wiggett (Dudsbury), £175 each, 71 Alistair Tressider (Sherborne), Paul Brown (Knighton Heath), Mathew Wilson (Broadstone), £50 each.

Team Stableford: 101 Isle of Purbeck - John Trim, John Newbon, Keith Robinson, Andy Jones. 97 Paul Brown, Roger Willetts, Brian Medlam, Jeff Copperwaite, 97 Mark Wiggett, Andy Jones (Dudsbury), Glen Dominey, Geoff Willcocks, 97 Nigel Tokely, Selwyn Burke, Mannis Cannie, Graham Butson.

Amateur gross: 73 Giles Legg (Dudsbury), 75 Selwyn Burke (Broadstone), Andy Jones (Dudsbury).

Nearest the pins: Harry Smith, Jeff Copperwaite, Andy Jones (Dudsbury), John Trim.

Longest drive on the 18th: Nick Madden.