MARTYN Hamer believes his days of waiting in the wings to be called on to a bigger stage could soon be over as the curtain came down on the Players' Tour's first season at Ringway.

The Ellesmere assistant left the rest of the field standing with a masterly display of stroke-making which rewarded him with half-a-dozen birdies in a six-under-par 65.

And his performance will do his confidence no harm when he attempts to clear next month's second hurdle of the European Tour School in Spain.

"This has been my best season since turning pro five years ago but I want to end it on a good note by winning my card," he said.

"I failed by seven shots the last time but I'm a much better player today. It's all down to my psychological approach to the game which has lifted my confidence to a higher level.

"I've been concentrating on a new, more positive practice routine by working on what I needed to do instead of just shelling balls and not being in control of what I was doing.

"I also used to mess around on the course but now I think about every shot. I've just turned 23 and it's time I started to show my potential."

He added: "I've finished 17th on PGA North Region Order of Merit - I'd never made the top 50 before - so that will get me into all the events next season without having to qualify.

"But my heart is set on playing at least the Challenge Tour."

Hamer was three shots ahead of Pryors Hayes pro Freddie Valenti at Ringway and picked up £525 for his effort which will help towards his £3,000-plus outlay to attend Tour School.

More cash will flow in tomorrow when he hosts a golf day for more than 100 Ellesmere members.

And on Monday, he's off to Portugal for two weeks' practice, courtesy of his sponsor Touchstar.

Meanwhile, long-time leader Barry Taylor, from Houghwood, held off Bolton's Steve Parry to secure the £1,000 Order of Merit award.

Parry did do enough to finish second ahead of Wilmslow-based Gary Donnison.

The Tour, initiated by Gatley pro Jon Cheetham and former Didsbury member Richard Walker, has also organised four winter pro-ams.

PRENTON'S Craig Lewis has clinched the Cheshire County Order of Merit by five points from Warrington's Ian Winstanley.

Alex Hogben, from Ringway, was third 10 off the pace.

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