POCKLINGTON'S Martin Anderson has won the English Deaf Golf Association's National Championships at the first attempt.

Anderson, 20, carded rounds of 86 and 82 at The Belfry's famous PGA course to finish five shots clear of his nearest rival in the 29-strong field.

He had earlier tied for the overnight lead with Jonathan Cole.

Anderson, who was born deaf, is a Malton and Norton Golf Club member and has been playing since the age of 11, seeing his handicap drop from eight to 5.9 over the past month.

He is a past junior captain at Malton and helped England finish second to USA last year in the World Deaf Team Championships at Sweden.

Other recent achievements include winning the Hazelwood and Welham Trophy with 45 stableford points and finishing first in Malton's May Medal with a two-over par 74.

Anderson's England international duties will eventually take him to the World Championships in Canada next June but, before then, he will be part of the team that takes on Scotland in a Ryder Cup style match at Wynchwood Park GC during August.

The former Woldgate School pupil is also hoping that golf will eventually become his career.

He said: "My ambition is to turn pro within the next five years and become a teaching professional at an established academy before eventually creating my own academy for young children."

Updated: 10:40 Thursday, June 16, 2005