Adams finishes top of the tree at last

Martin Adams has revealed a change of attitude led to him winning The PGA in Hampshire Order of Merit for the first time, writes Ken Gaunt.

The popular assistant pro at Swanmore Golf Centre finished ahead of 2015 winner Jon Barnes (Lee-on-the-Solent) with Adam Hickling (Stoneham) in third spot.

Adams, 29, collected a prize fund of £6,383 after showing true dedication by supporting every one of the 28 events on the circuit. He came third last season and said: “I have been knocking on the door for a while so to finally win it is very pleasing.

“I got chased down last season and that was disappointing. But it was a good lesson for me. So when I was leading the way this time, I treated it as if I was down the field. I put pressure on myself with the end result being that I won four tournaments, which is a personal best and very satisfying.

“The highlight?  Winning at Sandford Springs, where I have never really felt comfortable, and closing out the Order of Merit, picking up my biggest cheque of the season, £1,091.”

Now Adams, who took up golf when he was 15, intends to put his clubs away at the end of the month until February and pick up his football kit instead.

He attended Southampton FC’s Academy until he was 13, Adam Lallana was in the year below, and later he had a short spell at Gosport Borough FC.

“Football is my first love,“ he added. “I am looking forward to playing six-a-side again with my pals at Warsash. I have lot of energy left at the end of the golf season, which is unusual, as I am usually flat out at this time of year.”