Professional tennis star Michael Pernfors was enjoying a double celebration last night after partnering his Bermudian pal Hugh Barit to victory in the 30th annual Founders Trophy golf tournament at Mid Ocean Club.

Moments after stepping off the 18th green, the former Swedish Davis Cup player revealed how he had proposed to his girlfriend, Kristina Hansson, just before this week's 72-hole event had got underway.

“We went down to Natural Arches and I asked her to marry me, so that got me in a good mood for the week,” smiled Pernfors, who won Bermuda's inaugural XL Tennis Classic back in 1993.

Yesterday Pernfors, who now plays on the Seniors tennis circuit, capped a memorable week when he and Barit hung onto their overnight two-stroke lead in the net division to win by the same margin. And for good measure, the pair also topped the gross division, winning by a single shot.

“It's been a great week,” said the Swede. “My tennis game is now not so much of a challenge, it's all downhill. But golf is a challenge, particularly playing down here where the wind is such a factor.

“It's been great fun to win, but it's always a pleasure to come to Bermuda. I've got to make some great friends, especially Hugh and Gigi and their children.”

A three handicapper, Pernfors retired from tennis after a serious foot injury in 1994 and began to concentrate on his golf.

“I play a lot more golf (than tennis) these days,” he said. “I don't practise at tennis any more, I can't get excited about it although I still play on the senior tour.

“I have won a golf tournament before, but this is the biggest, the most prestigious. It's very exciting to win.”

Barit noted the two players had complemented each throughout the week.

“We were just real solid all week,” said Barit. “We lit up the back nine every day and struggled on the front nine. I think we were six or seven under gross for the back nine through the week.

“But we ‘ham and egged' well. It was a streaky thing. We'd make a bunch of bogeys and then, like yesterday, make four birdies in a row.”

“Michael's used to the pressure, but his knees buckled just about every day we went up to the first tee.”

Yesterday the pressure was on throughout, but Barit secured pars on the final two holes to wrap up the victory.

Defending net champions Tony Lee and Kirk Kitson also fired a 67 yesterday to finish two shots behind the winners on 265.

Four pairs were tied for third on 268 - George Hammond and Robert O'Brien, Gerald Kenny and Thomas Legere, Francois Weber and Graham Boyle, and Leon Nearon and Ed Presley.

In the gross division, Pernfors and Barit carded 73 yesterday, the same as second-placed Guy Phelan and Ricky Cox who finished one shot back tied with Peter and Paul Evans on 291.