LEE COPLEY enjoyed the round of his life after taking just 70 shots to master Sandburn Hall Golf Club's October monthly medal.

The 49-year-old, playing off a nine handicap, produced a two-under-par gross round to storm to victory by six shots.

It brought Copley a nett 61 and slashed his handicap to 6.7 only a couple of weeks before the end of the season.

Copley picked up birdies at the second, fifth and ninth as he exited in 35 at the 6,700-yard course off the A64 at Flaxton and, aside from a birdie at the 13th, parred his way in to record his best ever score.

The New Earswick player missed a five foot putt at the last to record a 69 but said: "It was just a case of hitting greens.

"When I missed one I was virtually chipping in or close and the putts were really rolling in. I had the pace of them perfectly and, on the back nine, I also had three that were just over the edge of the cup. It was just a pleasure to play.

"On the 18th I put it pin high and had about five feet and I just tugged it a touch. I wasn't going to grumble. I was pretty nervous as one of my playing partners had drummed up a bit of an audience on the tee. I had to focus and swing.

"I have never played golf like that. I didn't really have any luck, it was just straightforward playing golf. When I came off at nine and saw I had 35 I thought I could be onto something but you never get two nine holes the same. My main thought was just to try and par every hole.

"I don't know if I can do it again but it gives me a lot of confidence. I look and think that I don't have to play spectacularly, put it onto greens and watch it spin back. I only got down into single figures two weeks ago and I really wanted to stay at nine.

"That's what I thought when I started. Now I am down to seven and only a couple of points off six. One of the best things was being in contention for the lowest gross prize. I never thought I would be in that position. To get that as well was the icing on the cake."