MARTIN Brown took over as professional at Fulford Golf Club this week following the retirement of Bryan Hessay, who had been in the post for 37 years.

Brown, 30, pictured above, was born in Alsager, Cheshire, but is quickly settling in, assisted by his partner Karen.

"We have been received very warmly and many members have popped in to say hello, even if they have not been playing," said Brown, who began his career as an assistant at Malkins Bank Golf Club, Cheshire.

After four years he moved to Astbury, near Congleton, where he spent 18 months before becoming an assistant to Tommy Horton, the former Ryder Cup player at Royal Jersey in 1991.

He moved to Rutherford Castle, near Edinburgh, in July 1999 before being appointed from a long list of applicants at Fulford.

Brown tells the story of an incident at Guernsey Airport in 1997 when he was talking to David Melville, the former Fulford professional who spent the last part of his pro career at La Moya in Jersey.

"I was talking to David and mentioned that I thought it was time I might be moving from Jersey. He thought for a few moments and counted off on his fingers before telling me that Bryan Hessay would be retiring in 2001 and that would be an ideal job for me. And here I am!"

Brown has appointed Jamie Ashworth, who has been with former Boothferry pro Stewart Wilkinson at Brampton, Carlisle, as his Fulford assistant and the 23-year-old takes up his position on Monday.

Updated: 10:50 Saturday, April 07, 2001