TRAVEL-weary Kevin Spurgeon has vowed to pack away his clubs for a month, while he recuperates from a three-day flight delay and a hectic start to the European Senior Tour season.

Spurgeon and his wife Elly were stranded in Milan for three days after their flight from Mauritius was diverted to Italy because of the Big Freeze that’s gripping Britain and Europe.

“We were over Paris when Heathrow Airport was closed on Saturday and our flight was diverted to Milan,” explained Spurgeon, who returned home early Tuesday morning.

“I’m going to pack the clubs away for a month and spend my first Christmas at home for five years.

“I don’t normally put them away for that long, but I need a break,” said Spurgeon, who usually travels to South Africa at this time of year to practice, while visiting family and friends.

The 55-year-old Ferndown touring professional has spent just three days at home over the past five weeks following tournaments in Australia, Japan and Mauritius.

On the last leg of his busy schedule, Spurgeon combined a two-week holiday in Mauritius with the defence of his maiden title he won last December.

“They (organisers and media) made a big thing of me being the defending champion. I was under scrutiny from the start and it affected my game,” admitted Spurgeon, who kicked off with a four-over-par 76.

“On the second day, out of the spotlight, I managed to settle down and carded scores of 71 and 70. It was all good experience.”

Spurgeon’s improvement saw him leap up the leaderboard from 55th to 25th and receive a cheque for 2,380 euros. His first round partner David Frost, meanwhile, took over the mantle of Mauritius Open champion after a play-off victory over Roger Chapman.

“After a shaky start, I had to improve because there was no way I was going to finish last on my first defence,” said Spurgeon.

“Overall it was a great experience and the sponsors (Mauritius Commercial Bank) really looked after us and supplied a villa on the resort for a fortnight.”

The next scheduled European Senior Tour event is pencilled in for March.

“My first target of 2011 will be to move into the top 20 on the money list and secure my second visit to America (for the US Senior PGA Championship in May),” said Spurgeon, who is currently tied 25th after three events.