Founder's Day Trophy had produced a see-saw battle of attrition.

Finally distinguishing themselves as the top duo were Robert Vallis and Jack White, the Bermuda-United States connection surging through with a net 64 score at Mid Ocean Club that gave them a winning four round total of 252.

And while not nearly their best showing of the week, it proved more than enough to cast aside the challenge of Tom Stearns and Alan Leyland, as well as that of Torrett West and Neil Lumsden, winners of the division a year ago.

The latter two pairs entered the day well within striking distance, trailing by a single stroke the three-round total of 188 constructed by Vallis and White.

However, despite conditions that appeared ideal for low scores, each buckled under the weighted pressure, ballooning to their highest one-day scores of the week, Stearns and Leyland returning 67, West and Lumsden managing only 69.

Stearns and Leyland were made to settle for second on 256, six strokes adrift, while West and Lumsden plummeted into a third place tie alongside Eddie Marshall and Ernest Rizzi on 258.

Vallis and White also topped the gross division, tallying 275. But they collected no prize for the honour due to tournament rules that prevent any one team collecting more than one trophy.

Thus it was left to a play-off to determine the winners, with Michael Dunkley and Paul Evans prevailing over Angus Hyslop and Keith McCreadie, although it took four extra holes to do so, after each ended on 286.

TROPHY CHAMPS -- Top local amateur Robert Vallis (above left) and partner Jack White, a PGA Tour official from Florida, teamed up to take overall honours in the 72-hole Founder's Trophy at Mid Ocean.