Relieved Alan toughs it out

Alan Squires

GOLF
OLDHAM’S Alan Squires maintained his grip on the English Seniors title with victory at Northamptonshire County Golf Club.

Conditions were tough, but he managed to hold on to his crown despite a jittery final 18 holes.

Squires carded a closing 79 for a 221 total, but still finished five strokes ahead of his main rival Chris Reynolds, who shot 78, and six clear of third-placed Graham Meddings with 82.

“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. “To win this title once was fantastic. To defend it successfully is unbelievable.

“This is a great course, but in 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 and 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 on the second day.”

At one stage it seemed Squires, who recorded a 73 in the opening round, 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.