I HAD a call from Martin Lowry, pictured, who is retiring as secretary-manager of Bigbury in mid-May, to tell me he is setting himself up as a one-man business to help golf clubs in distress.

He is to become a "locum" - the man a club can call on to solve a short-term managerial crisis. And, despite living and working in Devon for the past 15 years, he is prepared to travel anywhere in the country.

He said: "There is a greater turnover of golf club secretaries these days and club committees can often find themselves in need of someone to take over in a temporary role.

"They can usually cope for a month or so but would welcome someone who could move in for two or three months on a short-term contract while they are waiting for their new man to arrive."

He was in catering before he changed direction to become secretary at Tiverton for five years before his move to Bigbury.

Lowry, who will be 65 in July and lives in the South Devon town of Yampton, said: "I want to fill this role for two or three years to keep my brain active and also pay off the mortgage."

Bigbury have taken the opportunity to restructure their management system. PGA professional Nigel Blenkarne, a former PGA board member, chairman and captain of the West Region PGA, is now running the club.

He signed up Tracy Loveys from Remedy Oak as his head professional.

10:37am Wednesday 30th April 2008

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