PRO-AM duo Andrew Baguley and Geoff Anderson missed the big prizes out in the Algarve.
Their astonishing first round in the Lombard Top Club Trophy at the San Lorenzo course helped them to joint fifth spot from 16 finalists.
The Leigh Gold Club pairing shot into the lead with an opening 65 but then slipped 10 shots with the trophy going to Whitley Bay.
Baguley, a former PGA Cup player, and 50-year-old self-employed gas engineer Anderson, who hails from Golborne, found conditions tough on their second day.
Torrential rain flooded both greens and fairways and play had to be halted for some two-and-a-half hours..
Baguley won £1,400 for his efforts.
Previous news story
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article