KEVIN Ward of Bedale Golf Club is a worthy winner of the Ackrill trophy as Harrogate and District Union golfer of the year for 2003.

An all-round sportsman who has only had 20 minutes tuition in his entire golfing career, he has also played football for Northallerton Town and had a 15-year playing career with Northallerton Rugby Club.

He began his golf at Thirsk GC, where he won the club championship in 1982 and 1983. After a few years in which golf took a back seat, he joined Bedale in 1989.

He won his first club championship there in 1992, winning his seventh club title last year.

Persistent injuries cut short his football and rugby activities in 1994, but, having played his first game in 1993, he was a consistent performer for the Union.

He lost to Neil Fegan in the matchplay semi-final in 2001 and to Tim Moorhouse in the 2002 final, but he was determined to lose the bridesmaid tag. After losing this year's Ogden trophy to Joe Buckley on countback, he defeated Chris Kirby by two holes to win the matchplay championship.

Ward thanked the Union for helping to improve his game immensely and his aim in 2004 is to reduce his 0.5 handicap. He also thanked his father and uncle for introducing him to golf and his wife Jacqui for her unfailing support.

John Waring, the Union team captain, said: "Kevin Ward is the first name on the team sheet. His determination and ability to analyse his own and his opponent's game makes him a formidable competitor."