Retired banker Martin Broadley has bagged his first golfing trophy, more than 20 years after taking up the sport.

The 72-year-old 26-handicapper won Leighton Buzzard’s Spencer Cup for senior members at the Plantation Road club, carding 40 points to beat Seniors Captain Peter Myrants, playing only his second game since a hip replacement operation, by a point.

“I’m living proof that miracles do happen” said Bradford-born Martin after being presented with the trophy by the man he beat in a photo finish. Although Martin has been in winning team competitions in the past, it was his first individual trophy win.

Seniors treasurer Denis Leitch took third place with 38 points, with Andy McDonald, Ken Wilson, Peter King and Peter Rutt all finishing with 37 points, a shot clear of Steve Maddison and Mark Hammond.

The Newcomers Trophy was won by Peter Malpass whose 31 points pipped David Godfrey.

Prizes for the Seniors Winter knock-out have also been presented with Immediate Past Senior Captain Dave Roberts and Alan Ward winning the Salver and George Sadowski and Richard Lancaster winning the Shield.

The Seniors had their opening club match of the season against Dunstable Downs cancelled due to course conditions….but managed pip Leighton’s Ladies team for the Barney Hallam trophy by just one match after a record turn-out.

Skipper Peter Myrants and Steve Marriott, David Newby and Graham Pellow, Derek Browning and David Bishop, Danny Nairne and Will Sampson, John Smith and Nigel Phelps, John Tarbox and John Bettle and Stephen Maddison and Terry Lingham won for the men.

Beryl Wood and Judith Ammon, Christine Bateman and Elsa King, Norma Stevens-Hack and Margaret Browning, Stephanie Howlett and Sandra Carter, Lila Garrod and Malgozata Shaw and Jane Parry and Joan Waples won for Captain Carmen White-Lawes Ladies squad. Three matches were halved.

PICTURE CAPTION:

BANK THAT….Martin Broadley (right) is presented with the Spencer Cup by Seniors Captain Peter Myrants.