Following a string of consistent performances during the past 12 months, he has retained his player’s card for next year.

He also expects to be able to play some full Tour championships too.

During the 2008 campaign, Harborough-based Cort played a total of 19 Tour tournaments, missing only five cuts.

He said: “In my current position from the season Order of Merit, I can go ahead and plan my new schedule in good time, and I believe this will be a great help to me.”

His two low rounds of the year were both 64s - one came when he was 8-under-par at Lyon where he had a season-high finish of 11th spot, and he also carded 64 at the Marriott Worsley Park, which was 6-under-par there.

Cort added: “On several occasions this year I have actually led tournaments in Europe. So I aim to capitalise more on opportunities like that in the future.

“But of course it is extremely tough competing on Tour each week with all of us battling so hard to achieve long-term success.

“I could have gone back to tour qualifying school, but with an assured ranking for the 2009 events, decided to put the money towards playing again next year, as it is an expensive business.

“Now I will work hard this winter to be ready to make an impact.”

l Lee Challinor, the Lutterworth GC professional, and amateur Maggie Deere, won the county golf Alliance mixed greensome Stableford for the Uniroyal Quaich over their home course.

But it was resolved on Alliance rule when they tied on 39 points with Bryn Morris, the Kibworth GC pro, and Eileen Daly, runners-up.

European Senior Tour pro Bob Larratt and his daughter, Kym, with 38 points won the pro/am award in this event.

Kirby Muxloe pair Graham Cross and Jackie Bailey with 38 points were the am/am prizewinners by a point from two pairs locked on 37 points.

Michael and Veronica Coombs, also from Kirby Muxloe, were second on 37 points from Keith Jones (Lutterworth) and Carol Duncomb (Rothley Park), third.

l More than 100 golfers from across the country and further afield competed in the latest Kilworth Springs GC Seniors Open Stableford tournament in the new winter series.

Rod Mally notched 44 points to finish first. He is a member of Wishaw GC.

Mally won by two points from Keith Hutt (Purley Chase) 42 points, runner-up, with a three-way tie on 39 points for third.

Trevor Lawrence (Wishaw) took this spot, with Tony Riordan (North Warwickshire) fourth, and Tom Grove (Hinckley), fifth.

There was also a tie on 38 points, with Brian Platt (Coventry Hearsall) sixth, and Frank Liles (Hinckley) seventh.