REGULAR coaching lessons have helped Andy Fitzpatrick to a record-breaking year at Keighley Golf Club.

The 37-year-old took top billing at the club's annual presentation evening, picking up an unprecedented four honours-board titles.

He won the Captain's Prize, the President's Prize, the John Roberts mixed foursomes and the Fred Moore Trophy (for medal winners) – an achievement which has never been done before in one season in over 100 years since the club was formed in 1904.

And Fitzpatrick explained that an increased focus on his technique had contributed to his stellar year.

He said: "The success is partly down to having regular coaching lessons since October 2015 at the Pete Cowan Golf Academy in Rotherham. Previously I’d maybe had ten lessons over 25 years.

"Also I’d say that my scrambling ability played a part as I was able to get up and down after missing greens."

The three-handicapper has been receiving lessons from Tony Tomlinson at the Academy set up by Cowen, who is renowned as being one of the world's best elite coaches, having taught players such as Lee Westwood and Danny Willett.

Fitzpatrick, who also won the supreme golfer of the year at Keighley and represented the club as first-team captain, added: "I think my best success was winning both the Captain's and President's knockouts in the same year – something that I don’t think has been done before. When I’d reached both finals it was certainly on the radar as something I wanted to accomplish."

Keighley professional Andy Rhodes was full of praise for Fitzpatrick, particularly in light of rule changes that favour higher-handicap golfers.

Rhodes said: "It's a hell of an achievement, especially given the changes in handicap allowance for matchplay, which is now full difference rather than three-quarters (singles) and 90 per cent rather than 75 per cent in fourball betterball.

"He has had to show a fabulous level of consistency to get through all his rounds."

Winning the Captain's and President's titles meant first qualifying in strokeplay events before the knockout stages.

Rhodes added: "To qualify, you have to finish in the top 32 out of around 170, so to get into both is an achievement in itself. To not only do that but then go on to win both knockouts is phenomenal."