Robin Eden can look forward to a successful 12 months as captain of Finchley Golf Club if his opening tee shot at Sunday's drive-in ceremony is anything to go by.

Eden, handicap 16, played himself into office by sending his ball the best part of 190 yards straight down the first fairway.

"I hope this is a good omen," he said. "I'm very passionate about the club and I want to make friendly Finchley the friendliest place for members and visitors."

Eden played at Chandos Lawn Tennis Club in Whetstone until switching sports and joining the golf club in 1998. Since then he has served on the marketing, membership and green committees as a board member.

His wife, Evy, was captain of the ladies' section in 2006.

Finchley, meanwhile, has become the first club in Middlesex to achieve a gold standard GolfMark award from the English Golf Union. It is a national scheme that recognises and identifies junior and beginner-friendly facilities. Three key areas on which the club is assessed are coaching and playing, environment and child protection and duty of care.