Rob Hillas had more than one reason to celebrate winning his first Bradford Amateur Match Play crown on Sunday.

Victory at Cleckheaton also saw the Northcliffe member become the first player to win the T&A Golfer of the Year Award in successive seasons since Keighley's Phil Wood in 1992-93.

His triumph over Liam O'Neill in the final of the last big event of the season meant he overtook Baildon's Ian Martin at the top of the final T&A standings.

On retaining the award - based on a points system which takes into account major Bradford Union and Inter-District events - Hillas said: "Obviously it's great to win it again. I have had a look on the trophy and not many have won it back to back."

Before Sunday, the 22-year-old was lying in third place on 43 points behind Bradford Open winner James Simpson and the ever-consistent Martin.

But his match play triumph gave him nine points to see him become the second Northcliffe player to win successive Golfer of the Year titles along with Martin Bell, who won it a record seven times on the trot from 1984 to 1990.

The plus-one handicapper was always in control against O'Neill - who beat Keighley clubmate Liam Houldsworth by one hole to reach the final - after birdies at the sixth, seventh and eighth holes put him three up, and he increased the advantage to win 5&4.

Hillas had reached the final after a close scrap with fellow member Jamie Mountain, edging home 2&1. After birdies at the first two holes, he was four up after 11 before Mountain closed the gap to take the game to the 17th.

Hillas has continued the progress he made last year when he won both the Bradford Open and Amateur Strokeplay titles.

Alongside his success on the Bradford circuit, Hillas has enjoyed an extended run in the Yorkshire team, for whom he has been unbeaten in three league games.

Establishing a regular place in the county side next season is now one of the Eldwick-based player's top priorities.

"Hopefully next year I can cement my place with Yorkshire and repeat my Bradford form and look to do well in the Yorkshire Amateur Championship," said Hillas.

He doesn't have to look far for inspiration. His clubmate and county foursomes partner Gareth Evans - who won Golfer of the Year in 2000 - became Yorkshire champion this season.

Hillas revealed he is heading to warmer climes to hone his game during the close season.

He will head out to Spain next month to join his Bradford Union team-mate Adam Sagar, whose family moved to live in Andalucia in 2001.

Sagar, who finished fourth in the T&A standings, is a member at the prestigious San Roque Club.

The benefits of playing in warmer weather helped the Keighley teenager make a flying start to this season as he became one of the youngest winners of the Bradford Amateur Strokeplay title. Hillas is hoping it will have a similar affect on his game.

He said: "I'm hoping to go out there in March as well so that I'm really up for it' next year.

"You could see when Adam returned this year. He was straight into form. It helped him make a great start.

"You can't do as much here in the winter so it's a good opportunity to get some quality practice in."