After finishing runner-up to John Barfoot last year, Mills went one better on the back of strong performances in the Thurgoona Bowl, MDGA Championship, Culcairn tournament and Corowa Cup.

Mills, 41, finished ahead of rising star Zach Murray who took out the junior award.

“It’s a big honour,” Mills said.

“It’s been a pretty good year.”

Mills, who will play in the Albury Inland tournament this weekend, played a starring role in Thurgoona’s scratch pennant win against Commercial Albury at Corowa on Sunday,

Jindera defeated Thurgoona 6-1 in the handicap final, while the Stuart Appleby team representing Commercial Albury Golf Club was triumphant over the Lindsey Wright team representing Thurgoona Country Club Resort 31/2 to 11/2 in the juniors.

It was the third time in five years the Appleby team has won the event.

Bailey Stewart had his sixth win for the season with a strong performance over Mollie Smith and was awarded Junior Pennant Player of the Year.