Andrew Windsor, the Ferndown head professional, made a rare playing appearance that almost ended in a huge triumph in the West region PGA order of merit Forest Classic this week.

He had a makeable putt on the final green to force a play-off with former European Tour winner David Dixon (Enmore Park) who claimed his first West Region OOM win with a one-shot triumph in the Forest Classic at Forest of Dean and Forest Hills.

Windsor left his putt in the jaws of the hole. “I had previously rushed a couple past and as it was a downhill putt there was no way I thought I would be short,” he said after picking up £618, his biggest payday on the region.

Windsor, aged 30, added: “It was the first time I had played the courses and they seemed right for my game as I put the ball in the right places. “ After qualifying as a professional in 2005 he worked at JP Morgan Chase in the winter, remained amateur and used his last £600 to play on the Alps Tour.

“I made one cut in 12 events and maxed my credit card and bank account,” he said. “I had to refinance myself and in October 2010 joined Neil Pike at Ferndown where I played as an amateur.”

Lee Thompson (Dudsbury) missed a similar chance and also shared second alongside Ed Goodwin (Cirencester), the first day leader at Forest of Dean, and Russell Berry (RB Driving Range).

Dixon opened with a level par 69 on his first visit to the Forest of Dean course to trail Goodwin by five shots. But in the second round at dry but windy Forest Hills he recovered after a slow start to signed two-under 70, the low round of the day, matched only by Sion Bebb (Vale Hotel) whose share of ninth place helped him to the top of the Race to Woodbury Park order of merit.

Thompson summed up the difficult conditions that blew many notable players off course. “It was so tricky in the wind,” he said. “If you got a gust at the wrong time you can be a mile short of the green or miles over the green. Some of the pins were tricky. My putting let me down.” expand England West PGA Forest Classic (Forest of Dean, Forest Hills): 139 David Dixon (Enmore Park) 69 70, 140 Ed Goodwin (Cirencester) 65 75, Lee Thompson (Dudsbury) 69 71, Andrew Windsor (Ferndown) 67 73, Russ Berry (RB Range) 69 71, 141 Richard O’Hanlon (Polzeath), 67 74, Stuart Little (Minchinhampton) 70 71, Richard Dinsdale (Parc) 69 72.

Selected: 143 Neil Rowlands (Broadstone) 70 73, Graham Howell (Ferndown Forest) 68 75, Michael Watson (Wessex Golf Centre) 68 75, 146 Paul Jones (Canford Magna) 69 77, 147 Gary Emerson (Playgolf Bournemouth) 71 76.