Pro golfer David Salisbury is hoping a plan to allow individuals and companies to buy shares in his future will pay dividends during the coming season.

If the scheme does take-off, 24-year-old Salisbury is hoping to avoid the disappointment of his 1999 campaign, when he was unable to complete his full season's schedule of tournaments due to lack of finance.

It certainly wasn't all bad news last year for former Boyce Hill amateur Salisbury, who is now attached to the Ballards Gore Club at Canewdon, as he won the Dar-es-Salam Classic in Morocco.

On the satellite tour he finished runner-up once and filled top five placings on five other occasions. He was in the top ten six times.

Salisbury lives at Clifton Avenue, South Benfleet, and is coached by international teaching professional Gary Pike. His main aim in 2000 is to make solid progress on the European Challenge Tour, for which he has playing rights this term.

He said: "Life as a pro golfer is undoubtedly challenging, but, of course, can be very rewarding.

"Unfortunately, embarking on Tour commitments is also demanding financially and, to assist me this year, rather than seeking sponsorship which may have little discernible benefit for the sponsor, I am proposing to sell shares in my prize money.

"My intention is to raise £6000 by the sale of 60 shares each of £100. This money will not, of course, meet all my expenses but will be a very welcome contribution.

"At the end of the season I will distribute to my investors one third of my earnings in due proportion to their shareholding. This means that, for every share brought, I will pay a one hundred and eightieth of my prize money.

"I hope this will represent an attractive business proposition. Obviously I will keep all my investors fully advised as to my progress during the season and issue interim financial statements."

Anyone interested in backing Salisbury should contact him on 01268 751547. Coach Pike, for one, feels Salisbury has what it takes to make it.

He said: "One of the many qualities that Dave possesses is an insatiable hunger to improve on what is already a highly-skilled golfer.

"His practice schedule is extensive and his dedication without question. I truly believe that, if David is able to pursue his goal long enough, a breakthrough is inevitable."

Salisbury has enjoyed a host of amateur successes on the Essex and southern England scene since winning the Courage Trophy back in 1975 as an 18-year-old.

He turned pro in 1997 and admits to having had problems finding a sponsor - although he did have a two-year contract with golf equipment company Lynx, which was due to be renewed until they were taken over.

Salisbury concluded: "If this sale-of-shares scheme goes well I am confident my true potential will be realised in the coming season."

Going for broke - David Salisbury is selling shares in his future earnings

Picture: MIKE BELLENIE

Skinner establishes his seniority at Southend

Kim Skinner, who plays off a handicap of ten, produced one of his better rounds for some time to win Southend Golf Club's senior medal with a net 65.

Lee Winsor (eight) took the runners-up spot, nudging 11-handicapper Roy George into third place with a better back nine after both had shot net 68s.

Immediate past captain Darren Lee (five) was fourth on 69, with Dave Seymour (12) a further shot back. Cyril Elliott, who had won last year, was sixth, the 11-handicapper shooting 70.

Dave Bailey (22) clicked into first place in the junior section with a net 66. Ron Edwards (17) pipped

Mick Matthews (16) for the runners-up spot on countback after both had scored 68s. Niven Dimmer (22) was fourth with a 70.

Flowers on song

Basildon Golf Club's first tournament of the year produced a big field and some high scoring in the Bysouth Cup better ball Stableford.

Ian Flowers and Steve Perry led the field with 49 points thanks to a last-nine score of 26. They were closely followed by club captain Colin Hodges and John Nagle, who were one behind.

Hodges and Nagle also recorded a 26-point back nine, but came unstuck at the par-three fourth. B Burrow and T Smith were third on 46 with K Brace and A Casey fourth on the same total.

Long-serving member Charlie Gray scored his first hole-in-one at the par three 14th, a distance of 120 yards.

In the January medal, teenager Darren Turner's six-under-par 66 was enough to win the senior event.

The four leading scores were three or better under par. D De La Haye was also on 66 with S Watson and C Wilson both on 68.

The intermediate event was won by Dean Geeves with a 68 followed by Tony Clark on the same total. Norman Pellowe led Division Three with 66.

Open hope

Fromer Basildon amateur international Nigel Burch, who now lives in South Africa, has qualified to play in that country's Open Championship, which gets under way with a star-studded field this weekend.

The Championship is being played at Rand Park and Nigel is the son of Basildon Golf Club secretary Arthur Burch.

Top ladies

Boyce Hill Ladies have played two 11-hole Stablefords. The first, off seven-eighths handicap, went to P Simmonds on 16 points with A Melvin taking runners-up spot from K Lincoln on countback after both finished on 14.

The second competition saw the top three all on 21 points. J Darwin beat M Smith and C Emerson on countback.

Rumsey win

Club champion Jo Rumsey romped to victory in Rochford Ladies monthly medal, winning the silver division with a score of 82-4=78.

Jo beat off the challenge of Mary Horn (94-14), who pipped Margaret Brockes (96-16) for runners-up spot on countback after both shot net 80s.

Consistent performer Tina Dye (96-21=75) took the Bronze award from Jay Rumsey (102-26=76) and Ann Holloway (104-22=82).

Davies edges tie

Clive Davies came out on top in an astounding tie for first place in the Division One monthly medal at the Hanover Georgian course.

No less than six players finished on the leading score of 71, two under par. But Davies (13) came good at the right time with a net three-under-par inward half to claim the medal on countback.

Jim Prentice (six) took runners-up spot with Derek Blackman third. The other players involved in the tie were Colin Mitchell, Vic Askew and Adrian Mitchell.

Countback was also needed to decide Division Two, where three players tied on 71. Desmond McEvoy (17) took top spot from Paul Leaver (19) second and Po Lee (19) third.

Division One of the Regency course medal was taken by John Vigors on 55 with Martin Tungate two strokes back. Richard White won the Division Two medal with s score of 58, one stroke clear of John Burfield.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.