Gary Potter made a winning start to his new job as professional at Great Yarmouth and Caister when he shot a new course record 65 at the latest Norfolk Alliance meeting.

'The Alliance meeting was officially my first day at the club so I thought I might as well start with a bang!' said Potter.

He beat the card on the second, third, fourth, 11th, 12th, 13th, 15th and 17th. The only blemish on his card as he stood on the 18th tee was a three-putt on 10 and Potter, who was seven-under, had a 63 in his sights.

However, he double bogeyed the last, after hitting his tee shot into the left-hand semi-rough. 'The lie was a little funny for a three-iron, I smothered it and the rest is history,' he said. 'The greens on the day were as good as I have seen them, if you hit the putt properly and on line it went in.'

The Caister links have long provided Potter with a happy hunting ground and over the last two winters he's won there eight times.

Now, he will be running the club's winter alliance series. 'We are trying to expand on the good work done by Martyn Clarke (the previous club professional) over the previous few years,' said Potter.

The first event takes place on November 10 and there will be a minimum first prize for professionals of �150 with a guaranteed prize fund. There will be an order of merit, with trophies, to find the leading professional and amateur. The entry fee is �30 per head and players should register on 01493 728699 or email garypottergolf@hotmail.co.uk

Potter will be assisting with the all-round development of the club in his new role. He has been in Norfolk for 15 years and, through tournaments, has got to know a number of the Caister members.

'I feel it's an honour to be invited to join them and become their resident professional. The club was instituted in 1882, has a great history and I want to become part of it. It's one of the finest links courses in East Anglia, the oldest club in Norfolk and the fifth oldest club in England.'

• RESULTS

Professionals

65: Gary Potter (Gt Yarmouth & Caister)

69: Mark Allen (Eaton)

74: Adam Sims (Costessey Park); Matt Green (Barnham Broom)

Teams

Myhill Bowls

62: Gary Potter and Tim Starbuck (Gt Yarmouth & Caister)

64: Lee Patterson and Tony Matless (Royal Cromer)

66: Trevor Cave and Roger Finney (Eaton), Mark Allen and David Thomas (Eaton)

68: Colin Brown and Keith Reeve (Eaton); Matt Green and Adam Bailey (Barnham Broom)