PGA West Region champion Gordon Brand Junior plans to play more frequently on the West Region circuit next year after his success in the one order of merit tournament this season.

Brand 48, who left the European Tour ten weeks earlier, said: "The tour is great when you are playing well but it can be very unforgiving.

"I simply wasn't enjoying it any more. There is no fun in packing your bag every Friday. I just didn't want to stay there.

"I had some great moments over 25 years and tried to hang on as long as I could. I shall miss my friends most of all. But for the first time golf was getting on top of me. It was becoming hard to get motivated week in and week out.

"That is why I decided to seek an easier environment to play in. I have since started to play some good golf in parts and I feel this was the best I have played for some time.

"I am completely happy with my decision to step away. I hope to play on the region but that will depend on my schedule.

"I would like to maybe tackle some work in golf in television or radio. And obviously I have my eye on the seniors' tour in two years time. My plans are flexible."

He has taken part in company days, played in Jamega and Europro events close to his home near Bristol as well as the British par-three championship. His final tour event was the French Open at the end of June when he missed his ninth successive cut.

He said: "I am now able to relax and enjoy my golf.The West Region championship may not be the biggest event of the year, but a win is a win and there are some good players in the region and I was pressed all the way.

"I played the course very sensibly for there are a lot of ditches and trees. I was four under on the first day before making costly errors but then I relaxed and played solid golf.

"Even if I hadn't won I was pleased with my golf so winning was a real bonus."

He won the title first in 1981 when he was setting off on the road to golf stardom that embraced being a member of two winning Ryder Cup teams.

Brand's preparation was exemplary. He practiced daily at The Players the previous week and even visited Sodbury for a practice round. He also employed 16-year-old Saltford and Players club champion Max Brittan as his caddy.

It was almost 17 years to the day that he helped Tony Jacklin's team tie with the Americans at The Belfry to retain the trophy in front of thousands of cheering fans and millions more watching on television, he was a winner again.

But this time he performed on a more modest stage in front of two dozen appreciative followers at Chipping Sodbury.

A final round spurt for a flawless four-under-par 68 brought a one-stroke success over Mark Wiggett (Dudsbury).

Darren Read (Saltford) claimed third spot two shots further behind over a course where he played as an assistant professional.

He glided through the field on the final day but his bid to get close on the final green and make an eagle or birdie faltered when his drive found water.

Wiggett, who was hoping to celebrate his 41st birthday the previous day with victory, shared the lead for two days, first with Alun Evans (Newport Links) and then with Brian Lee (Newport, Mon), and could have shared it with Brand had he struck his six-foot birdie putt a little harder on the 54th hole. He left the ball just a millimetre short.

"I am gutted," he said. "I had been dribbling the ball into the hole all day but just needed that extra ounce when it really mattered.

"Mind you, it took a European Tour player to beat me."