Gary Prince has claimed his first prize since he quit the professional ranks to return to amateur golf. He produced the best amateur gross score at the Bournemouth Alliance meeting at Barton-on-Sea.

He was probably the favourite for he has been the club's manager for the past three years and has started playing on the three loops of nine regularly since changing status in November.

But 44-year-old Prince's score of three-over-par 75 off his new handicap of two was remarkable in view of the conditions. He said: "I decided to become an amateur again because I was not playing at all and have had no involvement in pro golf for some time."

Prince first moved to Dorset to become an assistant pro with Nigel Blenkarne at Parkstone. He then spent three years gaining PGA qualifications with Graham Packer at East Dorset (now Dorset Golf and Country Club). Later he become secretary-manager at Wareham.

In fact his score was only beaten by one player, the Weymouth assistant Michael Watson who shot a breathtaking three-under-par 69 six better than Prince's return. He also won the R A Whitcombe Trophy for the day's best net card. He was seven shots clear of Ferndown's Neil Pike who battled well through the conditions to attain his highest position in an Alliance pro medal.