T&A golfer of the year Darryl Berry has set his sights on winning the Yorkshire order of merit title this year.

And after receiving his trophy at the Bradford Golf Union's annual dinner at the Cedar Court Hotel, Berry pledged to remain at the top of the amateur scene for at least another year.

After seeing West Bradford team-mate Paul Thomas, the 1998 Bradford Open champion, turn pro, Berry admitted: "I don't think I am quite ready to turn professional yet.

"I'll see how things go this year and look at it again then, but it may be two years before I am ready.

"My main target is to win the Yorkshire order of merit. I was seventh last year and have been improving my position each time I have taken part.

"Realistically I need to win at least one event and pick up as many points as I can in the others."

Berry really dominated the local competitions to end up with a comfortable winning points margin in the race for the T&A title.

He won the Bradford matchplay trophy, shot the lowest 36-hole total in the Yorkshire team championship at Bingley St Ives, and was a member of the West Bradford team who completed a hat-trick of wins in the Bradford First Division championships as well as finishing runners-up in the Scratch League.

"I have been told that I can expect to be a regular in the Yorkshire team, so I will be able to gain plenty of experience from that," added Berry.

He will have plenty to live up to in the county team who won the England county finals at Seaton Carew, but face a rebuilding operation after losing four players to the professional ranks.

It is a great boost to West Bradford, who are celebrating their centenary this year.

After finishing runners-up to Baildon in the Scratch League for the last two seasons, there is nothing they would like better in their 100th year than to make it third time lucky.

Losing Thomas to the pro ranks is a big blow, but they still have the services of Mark Evans, the first winner of the Jim Wade Memorial Trophy based on performances in the 36-hole amateur strokeplay competition and the Bradford Open.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.