ALAN SQUIRES RETAINS ENGLISH SENIORS' CHAMPIONSHIP

 NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY 
THE ENGLISH GOLF UNION
Alan Squires is still the English Seniors champion. Despite a tough closing day of high temperatures and even higher scores, the Lancastrian maintained his grip on the title throughout a jittery final round over a challenging golf course.

To underline how difficult scoring was, Squires (picture © Tom Ward) carded a closing 79 for 221 yet still finished five strokes ahead of his main rival Chris Reynolds, who shot 78, and six clear of third placed Graham Meddings with 82.

At one stage it seemed Squires wouldn’t have any problems as he went out in 38 and was still comfortably in the lead. But the back nine proved a different kettle of fish as he reeled off seven successive bogeys from the 11th and only a birdie-four at 18 gave him much relief and confirmed his victory.

“It was tough,” said a relieved Squires. “It was just as well I had a good cushion going into the final round otherwise it might have been different. But to win this title once was fantastic. To defend it successfully is unbelievable.

“This is a great course but in these dry conditions anything can happen. You can hit great shots but you can also get some horrendous kicks. I just wanted to keep the doubles off the card and not to hit it into the jungle. In the end I was thrilled to break 80.”

Squires went into the final round three strokes clear of playing partner Meddings but, crucially, six ahead of his friend and rival Reynolds. The front nine didn’t prove too tricky but coming home was where he needed shots to spare. But fortunately, the others were finding just as many problems.

“On the back nine I kept missing greens, missing putts, I got my distances wrong and didn’t hit the ball well at all,” added Squires. “It was just as well I shot 69 yesterday.”

With Meddings closing with 82, it allowed Reynolds to snatch second spot with his 78 but he was never able to get closer than three shots to Squires.

“This is a beautiful, beautiful course but I had too many three putts,” said the Kent man. “I wanted to shoot 72 because I knew Alan would have to break 80. But after three putts at the second and third, I just tried to settle for pars but even that was difficult.

“The pins were fair but they were also in some very awkward places. I putted well but for little return. Alan deserved to win after his 69 yesterday but I would like to play here again but possible in a match play situation."

The best round of the day, a 74, four over par, was returned by Cliff Pearce from Ellesborough for 232 and a share of 12th place but of the field of 66 only 14 broke 80. One of those was four-time champion Roy Smethurst from Crewe whose 79 saw him finish equal ninth on 231. But overall it was a day of damage limitation.

While Squires and Reynolds collected the major prizes, the age group winners were: Group A (Age 55-59) Graham Meddings (Hever Castle); Group B (60-64) Neil Hughes (Gog Magog); Group C (65-69) Roy Smethurst (Crewe); Group D (70 and over) Gerry Nash (The Dyke).

For full results and more information on the English Seniors Amateur Championship visit the EGU website www.englishgolfunion.org.

Lynne Fraser

EGU Marketing and PR Manager

Email: pr@englishgolfunion.org

Tel: 01526 354500