DAMON COULSON enjoyed a champagne moment after winning the Fulford GC Club Championship - now he is hoping to pop another cork by qualifying for The Open.

The +2 handicapper shot rounds of 72 and 69 (141) at the famous Heslington course last Saturday to claim the prestigious title for the second time. His total of three-under-par was two shots better than Will Pepper with George Forder back in third on even par.

Having won the tournament three years ago, Coulson had to see off an all-star field which also included recent York Union of Golf Clubs' Thompson Trophy winner Rob Moore, and former European Tour player JP Miller.

Battling rain in the morning, Coulson said: "It was tricky with a bit of a shower but, after that, it brightened up. I played a lot better in the afternoon - I hit 17 greens - but I didn't hole too many putts to be honest. It was 69 but it was the worst score it could have been.

"I am happy with the win, though. It takes a bit of pressure off to get a win like that early in the season.

"It's a really big boost. I was playing with JP Miller and Craig Smith and JP has been the best around York for more than 20 years. It is always good to beat a player like that. All the lads are coming through and it is very competitive.

"It was definitely an aim to win it this year. Coming into the tournament, I knew I had a good chance. My practice rounds have been six and eight under so I was playing well. It gives me a lot of pride and it is always a great one to win with the number of good players we have got now. It gets harder and harder."

Coulson is now fixing his sights on a "dream" of playing in The Open, the year's third Major Championship, which this year is staged at the home of golf, The Old Course in St Andrews. His journey starts with local qualifying at Moortown, Leeds, next Monday.

"I know the course fairly well," he added. "I got to the final stages in 2013 and it is a very high standard. You need a solid round and I would be happy with anything under level par. To play in The Open would be a dream come true.

"I will have to take the first stage and see what happens and go from there. I have just got to keep playing well and putting in more hard work."