FORMER angler Kevin Barber has finally reeled in his first major victory at Stamford Golf Club.
After 16 years of attempts and near missed, the 54-year-old from Hattersley lifted the Cheetham Cup.
And Kevin, who works in a warehouse, achieved it in style with a winning round of two-over-par gross 72 for an eight-under nett 62.
“I have been knocking on the door with a few second and third places in majors, but I have finally got over the line,” he explained.
“It is like having an elephant off my back to have landed my first one.”
It has come at a price as Kevin’s handicap has been slashed from 10 to six.
He said: “It was not far off my best-ever round and everything clicked.
“I had a couple of birdies, a lot of pars and managed to keep my head together.”
Kevin played golf in his youth before switching to angling and only returning to golf at Stamford 16 years ago.
Not content with his success, Kevin later scored an eagle two on the par-four ninth during a club Stableford, holing his second shot with a wedge from about 130 yards.
“You could say I am enjoying a bit of a purple match at the moment,” he explained.
Runner-up in the Cheetham Cup was Nicholas Rabbeth (81-18-63) on the card from Richard Margrave (72-9-63). Phil Hudson (69-5-64) was fourth on countback from Craig Taylor (75-11-64).
Richard went two places better by winning the first division in the monthly medal with another excellent return of 72-9-63 to edge out James Woodcock (69-5-64). Nigel Fish (74-9-65), Sam Hudson (68-2-66) and Martin Dwyer (72-6-66).
They were two career low scores in consecutive weeks and professional Mark Smith who said:
“I’m not convinced many have bettered a 36-hole total of 126 when playing in any consecutive rounds, which highlights the achievement.
“A 73 gross – 10 handicap to card a 63 in the Cheetham Cup only to lose by a single stroke.
Then the following week in the August monthly medal playing off one shot less, Rick negotiated a 72 gross less nine for another 63.”
Division two in the monthly medal saw Mike Leigh (77-12-65) emerge the victor from Regan Glaister (82-16-66). Third was Kevin Brown (83-16-67) on the card from Tim Jarvis (84-17-67) and Tom Howe (83-16-67).
David McManus (84-23-63) topped division three from Chris Holloway (86-22-64), David Mills (87-22-65) and David Bramhall (84-15-66).