PAUL Ware has now settled into the managing secretary's role with Burnham and Berrow after leaving Bath at the start of the year.

He said: "I was sorry to leave Bath, but Burnham is regarded as the premier club in the South West so an opportunity to move to a higher level was something I had to consider."

Burnham is regularly chosen to host national and county tournaments. The club will stage the South West Counties Championships and the Carris Trophy next year.

Bathonian Ware, aged 56, has joined his fourth golf club since leaving the world of commerce.

He was UK sales manager for Whitbread, first with Country Club Hotels and later Trust House Forte.

Then he was appointed by the Bristol-based PGA Golf Management company to run Thoulstone Park Golf Club, near Warminster, on behalf of the receivers. The club was later purchased and was closed last year.

Later he again acted for PGA Management in nursing Castle Combe Golf Club back into financial health before present owners Exclusive Golf Clubs arrived. He joined Bath in 1994..

Burnham appointed Jeff Harper from Parkstone to succeed Elizabeth Sloman on her retirement last year. But he has moved to Royal Mid Surrey.

Ware, who plays off a handicap of 11, lives at Burtle on the Somerset Levels, barely 15 minutes from Burnham, but he says that shorter travelling time was not a major factor in his decision.

He has seen considerable progress during his stewardship at the Sham Castle club.

"It has changed a lot over the years I can even remember the old clubhouse. The club has evolved and has moved with the times. It has certainly become busier."

Ware was succeeded at Bath by Stephen Watkins see story top left for details.