hearts and minds of the local golf community with a bang yesterday, seizing his first ever Bermuda Amateur Strokeplay Championship.

After taking time off from competing to focus on earning a college degree in Business Administration, the 21-year-old came back to administer a lesson to the competition in the form of a five-stroke triumph over defending champion Mike Sims.

Spurling carded a final 77 for a four round total of 195, compared to Sims' 300 following a last round 74.

However, Spurling laid the groundwork for the triumph a day prior -- traditionally termed moving day -- when he blistered the par-71 Port Royal course, carding a tournament best 69. And, with second round leaders Tim Carr and Aaron James struggling to get close to par, Spurling was able to return yesterday armed with a seven-stroke cushion.

The final leaderboard showed Spurling on top followed by Sims, Carr (78-303) and Nick Mansell (78-305).

First round leader Aaron James continued his fall from grace as he skyrocketed to an 85 that left him in a tie for 10th on 311.

Spurling expressed relief at winning his first title, a situation that appeared remote after he injured his elbow during the practice round. "I feel real lucky. I lost my composure a lot coming home and didn't play well at all,'' said Spurling, who received his baccalaureate from the University of Georgia in May.

"The greens were a little slower today and I hit some bad putts in the beginning and lost my composure. I was lucky to hang in there.

"It (elbow) didn't bother me the last few days.'' Still, Spurling almost paid a dear price for ultra-conservative play during the final round, his short game and solid putting on the back nine bailing him out on more than one occasion.

"I started hitting a few bad shots and then I started trying to get conservative and it only gets worse from there if you're not confident, and I started to lose a bit of confidence,'' he said.

The win also garnered a spot on Bermuda's four-member World Cup team that will travel to Berlin in September. Sims, Carr and Mansell will occupy the remaining slots with the Strokeplay designated as the final team qualifier.

Sims, champion in 1999 and hopeful of his third straight win, could only reflect upon an 81 on Thursday that ultimately doomed his chances.

"I guess I didn't deserve to win with an 81,'' said Sims. "Robbie's played well, he's been consistently good, he deserves it.'' Perhaps more spectacular than Spurling's triumph was that of Alisa Hardy, who claimed her second women's title which a day earlier looked more than impossible.

Lying eight strokes behind two-day leader Jennifer Spurling it appeared Hardy would wind up no more than an also-ran.

But with Spurling and previous winner Lindsey Sims crashing and burning as they engaged in match play among themselves, Hardy was able to burst through despite recording a modest 76.

She wound up with a three round total of 241, three strokes better than Spurling (87-244), with Sims (82-245) and Stephanie Lewis (82-245) a shot further back.

"It feels good to win, but I'm mad at the two girls that didn't play very well today,'' said Hardy, somewhat uncomfortable in the media spotlight. "I felt like an old lady out there with all the juniors around me.

"They played well up until today. I had a terrible round yesterday and I was able to turn it around today, so I'm happy to win it. I came today thinking anything could happen...I could shoot a 100 or get 70, so I came out confident and had fun.'' Meanwhile, Spurling was gracious in defeat, although clearly disappointed at not being able to hang on to what was a sizeable advantage entering the day.

"Alisa played really well. She was patient, she got it (title) and I'm really happy for her,'' said Spurling.

"I don't know what happened, really. I was hitting the ball good, but I didn't have a short game at all today...it just didn't work.'' Photos by Arthur Bean Robbie's best: Robert Spurling focuses on a drive on his way to victory in the men's division of the Amateur Strokeplay.

Championship smile: Newly crowned women's strokeplay champion Alisa Hardy is congratulated by last year's winner Lindsey Sims following yesterday's final round.