It's agony on the fourth for pro James

WERNETH golf professional James Matterson.

WERNETH golf professional James Matterson has suffered a broken leg and dislocated ankle after a freak accident while playing in a competition at Fleetwood.

The 38-year-old was approaching the fourth green at the links course when his electric trolley ran away from him and he darted after it.

Unfortunately, just as James put his left foot into a sprinkler recess his right foot slipped from under him and his trapped left leg took his full weight.

"I looked down and saw my ankle at right angles to where it should have been so I knew I was in trouble," he said.

In driving rain and with James in considerable pain, his playing partner Werneth Golf Club member Kevin Roberts and their Lancashire PGA event opponents summoned the emergency services.

At first they tried to get the air ambulance to assist but there was nowhere close by to land so in the end James was ferried back to the clubhouse and the awaiting ambulance on the back of the green keeper's buggy.

"It took an hour in total before I was being treated at Blackpool Victoria but I have to say the 999 team were brilliant and I have nothing but praise for them."

With James sedated for the pain, doctors swiftly reset the dislocated ankle and, following surgery, he now has two pins in the ankle and is plastered to the knee for the broken fibia.

"I have never suffered an injury on the golf course before and I now have to keep weight off the leg for six weeks prior to physio. The doctors are confident that I can make a full recovery but there is always that nagging doubt - especially as the left ankle takes the majority of the strain in a right-handed golf swing."

James, who celebrated ten years as the Garden Suburb club's professional earlier this month, is in good spirits despite his misfortune.

"I suppose if it was going to happen anytime then this is the right time of the year to do it.

"I wouldn't mind but I'd knocked it to two feet at the fourth and was about to tap in for a birdie!"