WALHAMPTON pro Kevin Saunders started how he means to go on when sharing victory in the Hampshire PGA Winter Fourball at South Winchester last Monday.

Teaming up with Stoneham's Ben Johnson, the 34-year-old drove into office as the new Hampshire PGA captain in style - although he did admit to some first tee nerves.

"It's traditional that you use a hickory-shafted driver or three-wood for your first shot," explained Saunders, "but being left-handed, I think the guys (Saunders' fellow pros) found it quite difficult to find a club for me.

"What they came up with was particularly archaic and, after my predecessor's (Bruce Parker) excellent opening tee shot last year, I must admit that I was feeling pretty worried about the drive."

Saunders needn't have worried though, as his opening salvo was a soft draw shot that finished just off the fairway. "I'm glad I hit something half-decent. It didn't really give those watching any chance to have a laugh at my expense!" said the New Milton resident.

After his opener things just got better and better for Saunders, he and partner Johnson carding a three under 69 in testing conditions to share the honours with Corhampton duo Ian Roper and Matt Tryhorn.

Looking ahead to the rest of his tenure at the helm, Saunders - hickory three-woods aside - also outlined a further problem, but one which he'll gladly have.

"As captain I intend to play all the Hampshire PGA events as I did last year, and in my role will have to take the mic at presentation time to thank pro-am organisers and sponsors - and hopefully congratulate myself on a few victories!"

Although the last line was said in jest, Saunders is a serious competitor in the region and is defending his Hampshire PGA order of merit crown this season, saying "it would be lovely to retain it as captain".

He does, however, acknowledge that this will be no easy feat. "The competition will be good - players such as David Porter, Andrew Cloke, James Ablett and Jon Barnes are always tough to beat."

And Saunders hopes the aforementioned, along with Richard Bland and Justin Rose, all have a good year, adding: "It's got to be good for golf in the county if Justin & Co are winning tournaments."

It's also to fair to say that Saunders himself is likely to add a few more wins to Hampshire's roll of honour before the year's out.

See today's Daily Echo for two pages of golf, incuding how to stop slicing, Hampshire PGA Annual Dinner pictures and What The Professionals Play.