LEGENDARY Lancashire amateur Trevor Foster described last weekend’s Acorn Trophy triumph at Accrington as ‘one of the sweetest’ tournament victories of his distinguished career – coming after a recent hip operation.

The 51-year-old, one of East Lancashire’s most recognised golfers, rolled back the years with a two-shot victory on his home course.

His success was all the more extraordinary as it was his first 36-hole event since landing the title for a fourth consecutive year in 2005.

“The first time I won the Acorn, it was by 12 shots,” said Foster. “I’ve put up some record scores in the competition, winning with 10-under and eight-under in previous years.

“But this feels as sweet, maybe sweeter, than any of those I’ve won before, because of the fact I’ve come back from a hip operation.”

He added: “I hadn’t played any 36-hole events since the surgery. I’ve just played 18-hole competitions at Accrington and Pleasington.

“I’d just not been able to push it. Usually, when I push it, the hip flares up and I can’t play.

“This time, I just decided to keep on playing and try and get through it. I think the adrenalin of leading the competition helped me. I felt exhausted the next day!”

“I went round better than what I thought. The greens were as quick as anything. They were tricky to handle, so I was pleased to get some birdies, though there should have been more.”

He hoped to follow up his victory by entering this Sunday’s Pleasing-ton Antlers, another 36-hole event on the Cleveland Srixon Northern Order of Merit.

But the 108-cap Foster has other commitments, caddying for teenage daughter Nikki in pre-qualifying for the Women’s British Open at The Berkshire.

“It’s a shame, but I’m happy being on the bag for Nikki,” said Foster, who qualified for the Open himself back in 1988 and famously led the event during the opening round at Royal Lytham & St Annes.

n Wilpshire’s Brett Langstreth came second at the Acorn Trophy, two shots behind Foster, as East Lancashire golfers dominated the top of the leaderboard.

Accrington’s Ian Hardman was third, a further shot behind, while Nelson pair Nick Uttley and Shaun Field were among the rest of the chasing pack.