COLIN Roope became the first player to win an Order of Merit title in both Surrey and Hampshire at the end of last season (writes Andrew Griffin).

The Blackmoor member, who was the Surrey Amateur Champion in 2006, became just the second player to see his name engraved on the Hampshire Order of Merit Trophy after Hayling’s Darren Walkley won it in 2014 and 2015.

The quietly-spoken and rather laid-back Roope could help Hampshire end a long search for silverware and possibly create another record in the process at some point in 2017.

The 36-year-old former EuroPro Tour player moved to Horndean early in 2016 and switched his membership from Farnham to Blackmoor.

After getting his amateur status back in 2015, the recruitment consultant was merely looking forward to getting back out on the course more regularly, and making some new friends.

Looking forward to the new season, Roope would be happy to put the experience of playing in two English County Finals to good use by representing Hampshire this year.

He played for Surrey at St Enodoc, Cornwall in 2005, and also at Prince’s at Sandwich, Kent, in 2006, with Yorkshire coming out on top two years running.

Roope said after receiving his trophies at the County Golf Union’s AGM: “It was fantastic to have such a good first year playing golf in Hampshire.

“I have played some magnificent new courses – we were always spoiled for choice in Surrey too.

“Of course, the standard of golf in the county right now, with the likes of Scott Gregory winning the Amateur Championship, is as high as any in the country.

“I never set any big targets last year, other than to enjoy my golf again, having not played so much after my spell as a pro, and also having got married with a young family I have been concentrating on my career outside golf.

“I’m not the best player in Hampshire – far from it. There are some incredibly talented individuals who are miles ahead of me. But on my day I can compete and be there or thereabouts.

“Ironically, after such a good start last year, I actually started to play worse because I just could not afford the time to practice enough.”

Roope added: “I have played golf for 25 years and my favourite weeks have been when I went to the finals with Surrey. You cannot truly do justice to how good that week is. The team spirit, camaraderie, high-pressure quality golf on great courses is second to none.

“Hampshire have done brilliantly to qualify for the finals six times over the last ten years, but have only won the championship once in their history, when Justin Rose played in 1996.

“By now you would have expected them to win it again just on the law of averages. That just shows how difficult it is, and how high the standard is.

“I’m not going to set any great targets this year again, but if Hampshire are in with a shout of success, I’m sure it will spur us all on to play our best and give the county captain a gentle nudge.”