TONY Holt is known as 'Popgun' to his team mates at Wilpshire Golf Club because the young players are starting to out-hit him off the tee.

But that might now become 'Top Gun' after the 39-year-old rolled back the years at Pleasington last night to lift the Lancashire Evening Telegraph Harold Ryden Trophy at the third attempt.

Twice he has been the bridesmaid following final defeats in 1990 and 1991.

But his superb 3 and 2 victory over Darwen's Gary Phillipson finally saw him confirmed as top dog - a fitting honour in his second year as ELGA captain.

Holt forged ahead at the first hole, and apart from a few nervous moments just after the turn, he was always in control.

Phillipson, who was seeking a unique double after capturing the Scratch Medal at Blackburn last week, more than played his part cheered on by his vociferous Darwen supporters club.

But he was sadly let down by his putting at crucial moments in a gripping final.

He missed a shortish putt on the opening hole allowing Holt to seize the early initiative with a par.

Both players parred the next two holes before Holt stretched his lead to three holes after a good bunker shot on the fourth and a birdie at the seventh.

Things started to hot up at the ninth when Phillipson pulled one back.

But Holt recovered to take the 10th and restore his advantage.

The balance of power swung again when Holt found the bunker with his second shot on the 11th, allowing the Darwen man to take the hole with a six.

And he pulled it back to one hole after Holt's drive was two long on the 168 yard par three 12th.

When Holt then pulled his tee shot left on the 13th, Phillipson sensed his chance. But his second shot found a bunker and a great five iron recovery from Holt gave the ELGA skipper the hole.

An exquisite chip and run on the 14th to within a yard of the pin was decisive in extending his lead to three holes.

And a lucky bounce off a tree on the 15th - which caterpaulted his ball into the middl of the fairway - allowed him to halve the hole.

Phillipson had to win the 16th to stay in the match.

But both men found the green with their tee shots and Holt two-putted to halve the hole and seal the most satisfying win of his career, 3 and 2. "I'd didn't putt so well on the night. That has been my downfall over the last few weeks and it all came to a head," said Phillipson.

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