ANDY Busfield was overwhelmed by a standing ovation at South Bradford's annual presentation night after a record-breaking season.

The two-handicapper, who is moving to play at Cleckheaton next year, won an unprecedented eight titles at the nine-hole club.

His reception on collecting his awards proved emotional for Busfield at the club where he developed as a junior and returned to four years ago after a long break from golf.

The 42-year-old from Dudley Hill said: "Having won eight trophies, they laid them all out on the table rather than me go up eight times.

"I had it all planned in terms of what I would say and who I would thank. But then I got a standing ovation when I went up and that was it. I was gone! My speech ended up being a bit garbled.

"South Bradford is just a great club – my home club – and I felt really proud."

His mammoth haul of silverware consisted seven major club titles: the Piccadilly Matchplay (for an unprecedented fourth time on the trot), Ridy Scratch Cup, Ken Darvill Trophy, Wade Bowl, Tiger of the Year, Player of the Year and Annual Stableford.

He also won a club trip trophy at Crosland Heath in Huddersfield – the club where he still holds the old course record of 66, which he set when he was assistant professional.

That was before he took a 15-year break from the game when his intention to turn professional did not go to plan.

Busfield recalled: "My PGA exams did not turn out how I wanted so I took what I thought was going to be a year out."

Instead he met his wife Natalie and started a family. His absence from playing became long term and he waited before feeling able to fully commit to a return.

He appreciates the support he receives from Natalie, who was present to see him honoured for his success at South Bradford.

A desire to improve further is behind Busfield's choice to switch to reigning Bradford Union Scratch League champions Cleckheaton, though he insists he would like to return to his home club in the future.

He said: "I want to go to an 18-hole club and have a different challenge for two or three years. It's been a really hard decision but our captain understood.

"Half the Bradford (Union) team could be made up of Cleckheaton players and there are five or six who have lower handicaps than me."

Busfield has proved he is more than capable of holding his own at district and inter-district level.

He was runner-up this year to Chris Green in the Captain's Salver, which is based on points won for Bradford in Yorkshire Inter-District matches.

He also finished sixth in the Bradford Union player of the year standings for the Karl Curran Trophy, a prize he would love to win as Karl, who died of skin cancer in 2009, was a member at South Bradford.