TOP Hampshire coach Martin Butcher has helped propel youngsters like Richard Bland and Darren Henley to the forefront of English golf.

Now a player in his late 40's and seemingly in the autumn of his career has turned to the Paultons-based teacher to help streamline his game and push him into contention for a place on the European Seniors Tour.

One-time professional Alan Mew has been one of Hampshire's top amateur players for 25 years and, just when it seemed as though the 48-year-old Stoneham clubman was about to ease back on his golf, he may be on the threshold of an exciting new career.

"I've never known anyone so enthusiastic," says Butcher. "When you stand next to him on the tee, it's like standing next to a radiator.

"He's still a very good player and still has ambitions in the game, which is terrific. I've only been helping him a few months but there are clear signs of progress."

Hampshire veterans like Guy Hunt, John Garner, Peter Dawson and Guy's former Stoneham professional pal John Morgan all successfully moved on to the European Seniors Tour when they reached 50.

Now for Mew, the former English Mid Amateur and Hampshire champion and a key player in Hampshire's English County Championship-winning side of five years ago, the Seniors Tour is no impossible dream.

He still has a plus one handicap and, with Butcher now coaching him, he could be a dark horse to add to his list of county successes this summer.

Another of Butcher's star pupils, Darren Henley, was training with the full England squad this week while Richard Bland, who won the British Mastercard Tour after joining Butcher's stable, is set for another season on the European Challenge Tour.

"People are surprised that Richard isn't playing on the main European Tour yet. But don't rule him out yet. He's talented and he's a perfectionist. That's why it's taking a bit more time. But once he gets there, he'll stay there," says Butcher.

New to the Butcher stable is Martin Thisleton, rated the brightest of Hampshire's teenage prospects.

The Hayling Islander won the Varden Trophy last year, awarded to the county's most successful young player, after winning the county boys and youth titles and topping the Hampshire Junior Tour order of merit.