THERE will be a new name engraved on the Harold Ryden Championship trophy tonight after the two former winners in the semi-finals of East Lancashire golf’s most prestigious prize were beaten in the last four.
On yet another soaking wet night at Blackburn Golf Club, previous winners Tony Holt and Nick Uttley went into their clashes with Tony Flanagan and Mark Ashworth high on confidence.
But their hopes were dashed – and tonight’s eagerly anticipated final will be an all-Clitheroe affair.
Ashworth battled through to the final after beating 2002 champion Uttley by one hole in their semi-final.
Ashworth, who finished a creditable sixth in this year’s Lancashire Amateur Champ-ionship, maintained his fine recent form to see off the in-form Uttley.
The minus one handicapper, who went round his home course in a 67 last week on his way to claiming the Midweek Medal, now has his eyes on the main prize.
But he will have to overcome club-mate Flanagan when tonight’s final tees off at 5.30pm at the Revidge course.
Flanagan faced Holt, who lifted the trophy way back in 1988, and came through 3+2 to book his place in the showpiece.
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