English Golf Union:
Lane Defends English Seniors Crown at Moor Park

Defending champion David Lane (Goring and Streatley) and joint runners-up Paul baxter (Woodhal Spa) and Jon Marks (Woodbridge) are all entered for the 54-hole English Seniors Championship being played at Moor Park, hertfordshire, on 7^th � 9^th June.

Lane, champion also in 1997, rolled in a 25ft birdie putt on the final green at Schifnal a year ago to life the title and complete a unique treble as he already held the British and European Seniors titles.

The Berkshire shopkeeper comes into this year�s event with just the English title to his credit and hoping that the week is blessed by better weather.� A year ago, thunderstorms and torrential rain reduced the championship to one round but led to a thrilling climax.

But Lane can expect top opposition from the likes of Marks (champion, 1998), and Baxter (Secretary of the English Golf Union) as well as from other former winners, Gordon Edwards (Bromborough), Harry Hopkinson (Worksop) and particularly Graham Steel, playing over his home course.

Comedian Jimmy Tarbuck (Coombe Hill), a regular in the Championship, is entered again, as is Welsh Seniors Champion Gareth Isaac (Parkstone), while the list of the past champions playing also includes Brian Berney (Gerrards Cross).

Other regular entrants include Albert Minshall, owner of Hill Valley Golf Club in Shropshire, Roy Guy (Gog Magog), a stalwart of Cambridgeshire golf and Leicestershire veteran Eddie Hammond.

Once again, a field of 240 players will be in action and play starts at 8.30am over both the High and West Courses on 7^th June.� There will be a cut after 36 holes, the leading 60 players and ties competing for the final 18 holes.

There is an extra incentive this year in that the champion and those finishing second and third will be invited to represent England in the Nations Cup at the European Seniors Championship being played at La Manga, Spain, on 15^th � 17^th June.