A GOLFER has won the chance travel to Germany next year to represent the UK and compete against players from all over the world.

Following a successful qualifying round at St George’s Hill in Surrey earlier this summer, Martin Derrick, from Hove, travelled to St Andrews in Scotland for the Mercedes Trophy National Final, which took place last week from Wednesday to Saturday.

The 58-year-old teed off on the famous Kingsbarns course and finished with a total of 75 Stableford points over the two days’ play to win the 11-18 handicap category.

He will now compete as a guest of Mercedes-Benz at next year’s Mercedes Trophy World Final, which takes place next autumn in Stuttgart, Germany, home of the automobile and the global headquarters of Mercedes-Benz.

The retired police officer said: “The whole experience was fantastic from the minute we arrived until the moment we left.

“The course was in excellent condition, as you’d expect, and even the weather was kind to us.

“I’m a decent player tee to green and it’s normally my putting that lets me down, but over the tournament my caddie really helped me.

“He was a local chap and his advice was invaluable. It’s the reason I’m off to Germany for the World Final.

“I’m already looking forward to representing Team UK next year.

“I’ve Googled the event and it looks incredible, but it will have to go some way to beat what we experienced over the weekend in Scotland.

“My wife’s already told me she’s looking forward to joining as my plus one, but I’ve said there’s plenty that can happen in a year so we’ll have to wait and see if she makes the cut.”

Mr Derrick plays off a handicap of 17 and is currently a member at The Dyke Golf Club in Devil’s Dyke Road, Brighton.

The tournament series, which was established in 1989, is open to Mercedes-Benz customers who are invited to participate by their local retailer.

Each year more than 60,000 players tee off in over 60 countries around the world, all aiming to secure their place at the World Final in Germany.

Derrick was invited to enter the tournament and compete after purchasing a Mercedes-Benz from Lookers car dealership in Brighton.

The current holders of the Mercedes Trophy are Team South Asia.

Mercedes-Benz has been active in the sport of professional golf since the 1980s.

Between 2008 and 2013, it was the international partner of the most prestigious golf tournament in the world, the Masters in Augusta.