IAN Brown (Newent) whose 2007 season was shattered when he broke his arm in a skiing mishap, quickly returned to firm in his first playing appearance of the new season.

He shot two-under-par 67 to finish one behind Welshman Matt Griffiths, now attached to Oakdale Golf Club, near Blackwood in Gwent, in the opening West Region PGA event of the season, the Titleist-Footjoy West Region under-30 League at Exeter. Griffiths, who has represented several Welsh clubs, went out in two-under 33 after birdies at the third and fourth. He dropped two shots at the narrow par-four 11th when he drove out of bounds.

He picked the shots up when he drove the short 13th and single putted for an eagle. A birdie at the par-five closing hole was just enough to ease out Brown.

The Gloucestershire player, whose father is pro and owner of the Newent course, dropped a shot at the first, fifth and eighth but turned in level par after birdies at the third, fourth and sixth. He added further birdies at the 13th and 14th.

Four of the 50 pairs in the packed field on a sunny, warm day tied on six-under-par 63 in the betterball. Stuart Barrett and his Dartmouth amateur Roger Bell, who plays off 18, were placed first because of their better back nine.

10:23am Wednesday 30th April 2008

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