KEVIN Spurgeon set off to the Middle East this week with a new putter he hopes will help him become the rookie of the year on the European Seniors Tour.

Named the Freddy Frog, it was specially constructed by Dudsbury member Paul Henley who is a clubmaker.

Dudsbury club pro Spurgeon explained: "It is a long-handled putter with a two-handed split and lighter than the ones I have been using.

"It's shaped like a frog's head and Bernhard Langer uses one.

"You need a light touch on the Seniors Tour because the greens are like glass."

Spurgeon is placed 22nd on the order of merit and should be crowned the rookie of the year award after the Arcapita Seniors Tour Championship at Riffa Golf Club in Bahrain this week.

His nearest challenger is Spaniard Emilio Rodriguez, who is 6,000 Euros behind.

American Bob Boyd and Englishman Tony Charnley could also catch him if they finish in the leading group in the tournament that offers a total purse of 450,000 Euro. "It would be a great achievement in my first year," he said. "Everything has far exceeded my expectations. I have done everything I wanted to do, bar winning.

"But I know I can win. I played with Sam Torrance in the European Masters at Woburn that I so nearly won and I certainly wasn't fazed by having him as a partner."

That tournament was his season's highlight and he led by three shots going into the final round. He eventually finished third behind Mark James who beat Torrance in a play-off.

He was helped by a hole-in-one on the third hole in the first round, a feat that has certainly boosted his appreciation for Australian wine.

Aces are sponsored by Hardys and he won 180 bottles. He arranged for one to be given to the remaining 72 players on tour at the next event yet still has a handsome supply to last through Christmas.

He has secured his card for next year so will be able to play in every tournament.

Spurgeon is sponsored by John Iles from Merlo UK Ltd and has saved money this year by using wife Ellie as caddy. She has been booked again for next year.

He did not realise how strenuous the tour could be and how exhausting it becomes after a series of tournaments.

"We had six on the trot and that means practice rounds, a pro-am and then the tournament so you are on the go all the time," he said.

He embarked on a fitness programme and, although he draws the line at intensive gym work, he enjoys regular swimming sessions at Meyrick Park.

One winter plan is to cheat the English weather by flying to Spain in two-week spells for warm weather practice in readiness for next season's programme that will probably start in the West Indies again.

This is clearly his best year as a professional golfer.

He said: "I though if I averaged 2,000 Euros for each of the 19 tournaments I was able to play in that would be a good season. I can't believe I have won nearly 100,000 Euros.

"I am making a good living. You can do well enough if you are steady.

"I didn't shoot many low rounds, apart from Woburn, but did enough to make five top-10 finishes.

"It is almost as much as I made in the last 10 years playing in pro-ams and tournaments in the West Region.

"A lot of the guys were tournament players before they reached the age of 50 but I have competed with them and beaten them.

"I want to carry on in this manner for the next couple of years until some of the bigger names are eligible."

Unlike most other players, both amateur and professional, Spurgeon does not have a coach.

He insists: "I am not changing anything now. I know how to hit a ball and what to do on a course.

"It's just a case of being more consistent and having a bit more success with my putting."

And that is where Freddy Frog comes in - starting this week.

Former Dorset county champion Mark Davies is a member at Ferndown but his day-time role is tending the greens and courses at Canford Magna.

And he was the outstanding player on the last golfing outing with fellow greenkeepers, the South Coast's section of the Greenkeepers Association's visit to Sherborne.

Usually a scratch player is at a disadvantage against higher handicappers in a stableford competition. Even shooting four-under-par 68 for 40 points does not guarantee success.

But this time the Welshman gave himself a three-point advantage. He also picked up the prizes for the longest drive and nearest the pin.