Squires adds to title haul

Alan Squires: Added to his remarkable record at Oldham.

ALAN SQUIRES landed the club championship at Oldham for a record-breaking 23rd time.

The 60-year-old from Moorside had 12 months earlier equalled the long-standing total of 22 victories recorded by Harry Swailes.

But for a 12-year break from entering the competition caused by playing for Lancashire, Squires would no doubt have enjoyed many more successes as he was in his prime at that time.

And Squires, who admitted his chipping and putting was below par, still managed to record an emphatic seven-shot margin in the scratch event.

“Obviously it is special to break the record and I was pleased with how the day went as conditions were difficult with the wind and rain,” he said.

Squires had scores of 70 and 66, which included three twos on the back nine when he posted a two-under-par 30.

Runner-up Dave Hewitt had rounds of 72 and 71 for 143, the same return as third-placed Rick Fallon whose 143 comprised 73 and 70.

Terry Garrett had the best nett score in the opening round with 74-7-67 while Lee Blainey (73-6-67) had that honour in the second.

Winner of a rice and chips competition - nine holes medal and nine holes Stableford - were Steve Rae and Dave Ganley.

Runners-up were Alex Simmons and Geoff Proctor while third place went to Dave Bruce and Eric Charles.

Andy Thornton came from nowhere to win Captain’s Prize at SADDLEWORTH.

After shooting a nett 76 in the opening round, Thornton was well off the pace. But in the second he triumphed for the day prize with 83-18-65 which also gave him overall top spot.

Thornton’s 141 comprised rounds of 94-18-76 and 83-18-65 as he finished two shots clear of Alan Shore whose 143 was made up of 82-11-71 and 83-11-72.

Third was Steve Dawson with 86-14-72 and 87-14-73 for 145.

Thornton took the second-round honours from Marcus Wray (74-4-70) who was second on the card from Ken Holt (82-12-70).

BROOKDALE’S Centenary Mixed Foursomes saw Val Brogan and Joe Loughman triumph with 73.

Runners-up were Angela Hunter and Neil Millns (73.5) on the card from Sue Boothby and Geoff Clarke.

Pavel Lisy (79-14-65) claimed top spot in a medal competition at STAMFORD finishing ahead of Kevin Barber (77-11-66) and John Jenkinson (81-14-67).

Super League referee Ian Smith gave the opposition the red card as he emerged the victor in the Hall Cup at CROMPTON AND ROYTON.

Smith landed his first major after a round of 76-11-65.

He finished one shot clear of Robert Calow whose return was 71-5-66.

Gary Melling (73-4-69) took top spot in the first division of a medal on the card from Jason Webster (75-6-69). Third was Jordan Flint (73-3-70).

Rob Coates (87-19-68) was the clear winner of the second division from second-placed Roy Denson (90-18-72).

Vice-captain Gareth Morris leads the way after the opening round of the Professional’s Prize following a round of 71-6-62.

Runner-up was David Garside (73-6-67) on the card from Steve Hyde (73-6-67).

Alan Lane (66-2-64) headed the field in a medal finishing ahead of runner-up Barry Anderson (81-14-67) and third-placed Kevin Baron (85-15-70).

Winners of the Wednesday greensome were Michael Armstrong and Frank Lock with a score of 41-8.25-32.75.


SWORD’S SWITCH
THE new date for the Royton Sword at Crompton and Royton Golf Club is Sunday, August 23.



The Mitsushiba Northern Order of Merit event was originally set to be staged a week last Sunday only to be washed out.

Low handicappers wishing to enter the scratch event should contact the club on 0161 624 2154.

Four-man team tee-off times

SADDLEWORTH host the Oldham and District Four-Man Team Championship on Saturday.

It is an event which has been heavily oversubscribed, with 15 teams balloted out.

Fifty-five teams have been squeezed into the competition and they will be teeing off from 7.30am until 2.42pm.

Brookdale staged the tournament last year and claimed the first five places, with Iain Thomas, Peter Buckley, Charlie Clough and Graham Whitaker the winning team.

START TIMES

7.30: P Howarth (S); 7.38: D Welch (B); 7.46: D Hancock (S); 7.54: J Barlow (W); 8:02: P Sheerin (S); 8.10: G Chadderton (S); 8.18: M Lewis (O); 8.26: I Charnock (S); 8.34: C Shaw (W); 8.42: P Rainford (O); 8.50: S Barton (S); 8.58: L Blainey (O); 9.06: N Bamford (S); 9.14: D Bailey (O); 9.22: A Guerriero (S); 9.30: R Flynn (C & R); 9.38: P Thornley (B); 9.46: A Squires (O); 9.54: P Harrison (C & R); 10.02: A Rowbotham (W); 10.10: D Miller (B); 10.18: D Heap (C & R); 10.26: D Bellis (B); 10.34: P Lomas (W); 10.42: I Thomas (B); 10.50: D Park (S); 10.58: C King (C & R); 11.06: M Heap (S); 11.14: T Bergin (B); 11.22: S Potts (S); 11.30: O Wild (C & R); 11.38: D Pullen (S).

11.46: S Slater (W); 11.54: M Hopkinson (C & R); 12.02: K Barnes (S); 12.10: C Butler (O); 12.18: N Cooper (S); 12.26: G Whitaker (B); 12.34: N Corrigan (S); 12.42: A Allen (C & R); 12.50: B Green (S); 12.58: L Rowbotham (W); 1.06: A Simmons (O); 1.14: D Fearnley (S); 1.22: S Daubney (O); 1.30: G Widdall (S); 1.38: D Suttie (W); 1.46: J Haigh (C & R); 1.54: S Hodson (S); 2.02: S Price (B); 2.10: I Grant (W); 2.18: T Sutherland (C & R); 2.26: C Boyle (B); 2.34: W Whitworth (W); 2.42: D Hough (W).