GOLF by Alan Booth: WINNER of two national titles last year, Tom Lewis launched his new season with a record victory in the Berkhamsted Trophy on Saturday, the opening event of the English golf calendar. After an opening round of four under par 67, to le

GOLF by Alan Booth: WINNER of two national titles last year, Tom Lewis launched his new season with a record victory in the Berkhamsted Trophy on Saturday, the opening event of the English golf calendar.

After an opening round of four under par 67, to lead by a stroke, he followed with 66 for a record nine under par total of 133 to win by five strokes, beating the previous record by four strokes to become the first Herts winner of this national event since Simon Burnell (Brickendon Grange) in 1993.

"It's a great start to the season, as I'm not usually an early starter," he said.

After his morning 67, his biggest challenge came from Swindon's Ben Loughrey (Wrag Barn), a stroke adrift after 68, but Lewis stormed ahead in the afternoon and never lost his lead, to finish five strokes clear.

Loughrey finished second after a round of 70 for 138, third place going to home player, 17-year-old Luke Colgate, who staged a fine performance with rounds of 70, 69.

Winner last year of the British Boys and English Boys Stroke play championships, Lewis, 19, triumphed this time from a national field, and seems set for more titles this year.

A week after he had been one of a four-man England team which won the Euro Nations Cup in Spain for the second year, he made a steady start, with par figures over the opening nine holes. He eagled the 568 yards 11th, holing from 35ft, and birdied the short 15th and ended his round with another birdie for his four under par 67.

In the afternoon, starting his round at the 10th hole, he birdied 11, 14 and 15 to leave the field trailing, and coasted home with three consecutive birdies from the first, another at the seventh with his only dropped shots, three putting five and eight as his round ended in fading light.

"I was happy with my game, and with the course and greens, after the severe winter," he said.

Other Herts contenders: Ryan Newman (Brookmans Park), shot 70,74; Nick Ward (Redbourn) 75 71, Sam Claridge (Harpenden Common) 73 74, Callum Shinkwin (Moor Park) 75 73, James Taverner (South Herts) 73 76, Robert Patterson (Berkhamsted) 71 78, John Ambridge (Moor Park) 76 74, Tomasz Anderson (Mill Green) 74 77, James Watts (East Herts) 75 78, Miguel Moitas (Redbourn) 78 76, Glen Portelli (Brickendon Grange) 81 73, Tom Cutting (Berkhamsted) 80 75, Oliver Ross (Berkhamsted) 78 78.