TREVOR Foster heads to the English senior men’s championship next week on the back of one of the biggest victories of his career after winning the Irish seniors title.

The East Lancashire golfer is among the favourites when play gets underway in Nottinghamshire on Wednesday after a fine run of form which has seen him win three of his last four tournaments and finish second in the other.

And while the 58-year-old acknowledges the time on the practice greens as a major factor in his success, he also hailed the impact his new coach and clubs have had.

The Accrington man is now taught by Ryan Done who was Foster’s caddie as a 14-year-old when the East Lancs ace played, and briefly led, the 1988 British Open.

The two have remained in touch ever since and Done who, like Foster, hails from Oswaldtwistle, came on board as a coach three years ago.

“He is brilliant,” said Foster of Done who is the professional at Heysham Golf Club near Morecambe.

“Him and changing to Callaway clubs has really transformed my game. He is a great teacher and must be one of the best in the country.

“He caddied for me at the Open when he was just 14, he still holds the record for the youngest caddies at the Open.

“We’ve always been pals and he has been teaching me for three years now.”

Foster is hoping his summer to remember can end in an England call-up, something that has eluded the 108-time county capped man so far in his career.

He has a healthy lead in the standings to make the squad for the European Championships and Home Internationals in September and next on his agenda is a challenge at the English title.

He admits he heads there in confident mood.

“I want to see what I can do,” Foster told the Lancashire Telegraph. “But I am taking nothing for granted, this game has a way of biting you on the backside.

“I’ve not played either course but people keep telling me that they suit my game so we will see. I’ll be heading there on Monday and playing a practice round at each course.

“I am playing well at the moment and when you’re playing well then you are confident so we will see what happens.”

The event gets underway on Wednesday at Sherwood Forest before round two at Coxmoor on Thursday. The field is then cut to 80 for Friday’s final round back at Sherwood.

Foster’s Irish victory was built on mastering blustery conditions in the final round as he came from four back to claim the title with a two under par 70 at Concra Wood.

“When I woke up it was blowing a gale and that’s just what I wanted. It was quite a long course and the greens were quite fast but I managed to handle it all right so I was happy,” he said.

“To win was massive. It is a big tournament and I needed a little bit of help from the weather to try and close the gap on the last day.”

Having had the luck of the Irish last time out, Foster will be hoping his run continues all the way to international honours, not least so he can start pegging back the Red Rose caps on daughter Nikki.

“She has played for England four times and she does remind every now and again,” Foster said.

“She has a family now and doesn’t play anymore but it would be great to get to play for England so that we both have done it.”