Norfolk's golfers were dressed to impress as one of Europe's largest amateur golf tournaments returned to a county golf club for the second successive year.

Eastern Daily Press: Taking a break at the largest amateur golf series, the William Hunt Trilby Tour, at Bawburgh Golf Course. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYTaking a break at the largest amateur golf series, the William Hunt Trilby Tour, at Bawburgh Golf Course. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)

The Trilby Tour, which is backed by Savile Row tailor William Hunt and sees players decked out in one of his signature Trilby hats, kicked off at Bawburgh Golf Club on Thursday with 144 players taking part.

The tailor was inspired to pair the sartorial get-up with the sport by the James Bond film 'Goldfinger', where Sean Connery plays golf at Stoke Park in the elegant style of hat.

Trilby Tour director Toby Morgan, who grew up in Long Stratton and is about to move back to the county from London by buying a house in Wymondham, said: 'This year has been one of the best organised events we've had.'

Bawburgh is staging the first of a series of regional championships across the UK, with the top 10 from each earning their place at the grand final at Hull Golf Club at the end of August.

Eastern Daily Press: Golfers taking part in the largest amateur golf series, the William Hunt Trilby Tour, at Bawburgh Golf Course. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYGolfers taking part in the largest amateur golf series, the William Hunt Trilby Tour, at Bawburgh Golf Course. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)

'We're looking at working with (Bawburgh golf manager) Danny Chapman to make sure the golfers come back each year, with the potential of future events in mind.'

Mr Chapman, who organised the event with operations manager Jamie Goose, said: 'It was a great day for everyone involved. The feedback we got from the golfers was unbelievable.

'To have Sky Sports here too filming was amazing.'

Those in attendance at the event were treated to the full works in terms of hospitality; local caterers Elsie's Pizza provided a pizza oven for hungry guests and a gin bar was set up to provide tired golfers with the perfect post-round tipple.

Eastern Daily Press: Golfers taking part in the largest amateur golf series, the William Hunt Trilby Tour, at Bawburgh Golf Course. Glenn Pollard. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYGolfers taking part in the largest amateur golf series, the William Hunt Trilby Tour, at Bawburgh Golf Course. Glenn Pollard. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)

It was a successful day at the event for Norfolk's amateur golfers, with two earning places in the grand final and one of them featuring in the playoffs.

25 players from the region took part in the event, which was heading into its .

Those wanting to know exactly how well the local talent got on will have to wait until October, when Sky Sports will be televising the Bawburgh stage in its own special episode featuring all the action, analysis and interviews with the winning players.

Access to the event was free to the public and the golf club estimate that around 200 people came along to watch.