MARTIN ANDERSON signed off as captain of the English Deaf Golf Association by leading the national team to a stunning victory at the European Deaf Golf Open Championships in Finland.

The Pocklington golfer was part of a four-man outfit which won the competition at their first attempt.

Joined by Jay Stally, Paul Waring and Michael Burris making up England ‘A’, the Malton & Norton GC member took to the Kytaja Golf course, near Hyvinkaa at the end of last month.

“Kytaja Golf was a very tough but beautiful course and it had just recently held the Finnish Open at the start of August,” said Anderson.

“With greens running at 14 on the stimpmeter, water and bunkers guarding greens and fairways, it was certainly not a feat for the faint hearted.”

With a competition format of the best three scores to count during each of two rounds, the scratch event saw England ‘A’ mount a first round challenge thanks a brilliant 72 from Waring and scores of 80 from Anderson and Burris and 81 from Stally.

That put them seven shots clear of Denmark and 12 shots clear of Sweden.

A slight wind in the afternoon on day two meant the course became worn as England ‘A’ looked to secure the title.

But Waring’s 79, along with scores from Anderson (83), Burris (82) and Stally (85) was enough to beat Denmark but not Sweden, whose impressive second round challenge meant they levelled the scores.

The destination of the trophy was decided on countback with the scores of the fourth player recalled. Stally’s 85 tied the Swedish fourth player but a better back nine meant England ‘A’ were European deaf team champions on their debut.

Waring also took the individual prize and the 17-year-old is now the European deaf individual champion. England ‘B’ finished fourth behind Denmark.

Following the event, Anderson decided the time was right to step down as EDGA captain – ending a successful three-year term that brought a number of Four Nations prizes as well as top performances in international team events.

“I very much enjoyed my tenure as captain leading teams to successes and also being there as a figurehead for deaf participants to approach me,” he added.

“I have now taken on a more active role developing the media relations side of EDGA running Twitter (@englishdeafgolf), the www.englishdeafgolfassociation.com website and other media-related activities.

“Our association, like many other organisations, are run by volunteers relying heavily on funding and donations. For us to continue our work developing and improving the standards of deaf golf, we need help and support.”

Anyone who would like to make a donation can log on to the association’s Just Giving account at www.justgiving.com/MartinAnderson-USA2014.

All money raised will go to help support UK Deaf Sport and the English Deaf Golf Association. For other donations and information, email info@englishdeafassociation.com.