Squires equals titles record

ALAN SQUIRES

ALAN SQUIRES landed Oldham’s club championship for a 22nd time to draw level with Harry Swailes’ record number of victories.

Indeed, had Squires not missed competing for 12 years because of his county commitments for Lancashire, he would surely have already claimed the record.

The 59-year-old from Shaw was in sparkling form as he shot 62 and 65 for a two-round total of 127.

The four-under-par 62 equalled his own course record and is possibly a new one because of a number of recently-introduced fresh tee positions.

Squires could conceivably have shot a sub-60 opening round as he missed four putts from less than three feet.

No wonder he is delighted with his form as he prepares to represent England in the European Seniors Team Championship in Shannon, Ireland, in mid-August.

Second place in the club championship went to Rick Fallon with 65 and 66 for 131, while third was Paul Butler (71 and 69 for 140) on the card from Norman Radcliffe (67 and 73 for 140).

The best nett score in the first round went to Norman Radcliffe (67-3-64) while in the second-round the honours went to Lee Melia (66-7-59).

A subsidiary medal produced a victory for Pete Dowd (76-16-60) from R A Jones (74-13-61) and John Waterhouse (81-19-62).

Paul Rowbotham’s monopoly of WERNETH’S club championship continued as he landed the honour for a fifth successive year and sixth title in total.

Rowbotham, with rounds of 67 and 70 for 137, beat off the spirited challenge of Les Dooley who has returned to the club and who was looking for his 13th club championship.

Dooley was runner up with 70 and 68 for 138 , while the best nett score was 128 from Adrian Buckley whose returns were 73–6–67 and 67-6-61.

Rowbotham came within one shot of his son Lee’s course record as he also triumphed in the first division of the monthly medal.

Rowbotham hit a six-under-par 62 for a nett 61 and, but for a couple of missed putts, he says the record could have been his.

It was still a fabulous effort for Rowbotham, who is almost back to scratch status.

He had a two-shot margin of victory over runner-up Karl Johnson whose return was 70-7-63. Also returning 63 were Liam Dwayre and Jack Suttie.

Topping division two was Ron Bowden (79-15-64) while second place went to David Bielby (80-14-66) on the card from Ken Baker.

SADDLEWORTH’S club championship went to Martin Orme for a sixth time. The 34-year-old had a landslide margin of victory after shooting gross rounds of 71 and 68 for 139.

Orme finished nine shots clear of runner-up Eddie Mills (75 and 73 for 148), on the the card from Alan Entwistle (73 and 75 for 148).

A subsidiary nett competition played over 18 holes produced a victory for Mark Anderson-Wild with a score of 76-11-65.

He finished well clear of Ben Chadderton (80-10-70) who was runner up on the card from Nigel Hughes (76-6-70) and Tad Knebel (76-6-70).

A rice and chips competition at OLDHAM - a four-ball half medal, half Stableford - saw Paul Rainford and Alex Simmons triumph on the card from Eric Charles and Dave Bruce. Third were Ian Radcliffe and Lee Newsome.

Brent Cannings (70-5-65) claimed top spot in the first division of a medal at CROMPTON AND ROYTON from second-placed Tony Nanyn (76-9-67).

Division two winner was Chris King (78-11-67) from Carl Howarth (80-12-68) while division three honours went to Steve Smith (81-16-65) from Tony Morton (85-18-67).

John Brame and Cliff Wood were the victors in a four-ball Stableford after amassing 44 points.

Second were Mark Pickering and Len Harper (43pts) on the card from Paul Ireson and Peter Davies, Mark and Steven Barrett.

Brendan Clark claimed victory in Vice-Captain’s Prize at STAMFORD after a three way card play-off.

He had a score of 42 points in the singles Stableford which was the same return as second-placed Dave Briddon and Dave Furness, who was third.