FIRST-TIMER Simon Wrigley was still pinching himself this morning after walking away with the Bury and District Golf Association's Men's Championship title on Wednesday evening.

The 41-year-old Harwood golfer beat Mark Thornton of Lowes Park on his home course to take the Vardon Trophy after the match went to the 19th, the first extra hole.

It was the first time Simon, who lives in Bromley Cross, had entered the championship and he said: "I was more than made up to have qualified for the last eight and to be representing Harwood. Everything else was a bonus.

"I'm still a bit stunned. I just kept thinking to myself 'just keep playing and see what happens'.

In the final, I had a chance for a birdie on the 18th, but the ball just caught the edge of the hole and didn't drop in. So it went to the 19th.

"Mark landed in a bunker and I got on the green and went on to win it from there."

Simon has been playing golf "on and off" since he was 13. "I had a bit of a break in my twenties when I got married, but I started again eight or nine years ago and I have been at Harwood since I started back.

"My handicap was ten at the start of last year and now it's down to five, so I have halved my handicap in the last 18 months. I put that down to concentration, a positive attitude and practice.

"I am just enjoying it at the moment, but I will be trying my best to retain the title next year."

Results -- Qualifying scores: Tim Pennington (Bury) 70 68 138; Mark Thornton (Lowes Park) 70 70 140; Sean Owen (Breightmet) 70 71 141; Mathew Berry (Bury) 74 68 142; Sean Doherty (Bury) 71 72 143; Andrew Siddle (Rossendale) 71 73 144; Ashley Siddle (Rossendale) 71 73 144; Simon Wrigley (Harwood) 73 73 146.

Quarter-finals: Wrigley beat Pennington 5 and 4; Thornton beat Ashley Siddle 4 and 3; Andrew Siddle beat Sean Owen 1 up; Sean Doherty beat Mathew Berry 6 and 5.

Semi-finals: Wrigley beat Doherty 1 up; Thornton beat Andrew Siddle 4 and 2.

Final: Wrigley beat Thornton at the 19th.

36-hole Nett prize winner: Andy Coop (Harwood) 70 65 135.

Best 18-hole Gross prize winners: 1st 18 Neil Woolfrey (Breightmet) 70; 2nd 18 Paul Joley (Pike Fold) 70.