Bamford began his professional career as an assistant at Burhill Golf Club before moving to Wentworth.

[1] While an assistant at Wentworth, Bamford won the Schweppes PGA Close Championship in April 1961, by 3 strokes from Peter Alliss and Christy O'Connor Snr, and took the first prize of £1,000.

[2] Because of the possibility of flooding at the Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club, a composite course was used for the championship, including seven consecutive holes of the Ladies' course, measuring just 5,755 yards.

The Canada Cup was played in Puerto Rico in early June with England finished in 15th place, Bamford scoring 311 for the four rounds.

[7][8] Bamford was joint leader after the first round of the 1967 Schweppes PGA Close Championship but was then disqualified, following an inquiry, for taking more than the allowed five minutes to look for his ball in the rough at the 5th hole.