TONY Holt will play off one for the first time in his life as he bids to hang on to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph Harold Ryden Trophy at Burnley this weekend, writes ANDY NEILD.

The Wilpshire member lifted ELGA's showpiece title after an epic scrap with Darwen's Gary Phillipson at Pleasington last year.

And he goes into this season's event on the crest of a wave after a round of one-under-par in the ELGA Scratch Shield at Whalley last weekend dropped his handicap down to one for the first time ever.

But the former ELGA captain believes he'll have his work cut out if he wants to hold on to the much-sort after crown.

"It would be great to retain the trophy, but it's going to be very difficult because the standard of some of the other players is in a different league to me," said Holt.

"There are probably about five or six players who have a really good chance.

"Nick Uttley, Gary Phillipson and a couple of lads from Blackburn, like Martin Brooks, are all in with a shout.

"And don't rule out the Samuels brothers from Burnley, either, over their home course."

Uttley is the man in form after firing a 69 at Whalley to win the ELGA Scratch Medal at the weekend.

But home advantage is also sure to play a part.

Built on the edge of the moors overlooking Burnley, the course makes good use of the rolling countryside while the altitude gives the added challenge of wind. And although it has only one par five, at least four other holes often seem to be in that class.

"It's a similar type of course to Wilpshire to a certain extent," said Holt.

"You've got to keep it very straight because although it's not that long, there are quite a few bunkered holes, so you've got to put the ball in the right place off the tee."

Holt himself has been managing to do that so far this season.

Earlier in the year, he qualified for the latter stages of the Lancashire Amateur championships.

And last week his performance in the Scratch Shield reduced his handicap by one.

But he still treasures the memory of his victory in this competition last year and by a quirk of fate, he has been drawn to partner Phillipson in the qualifying round on Saturday.

"I can certainly remember that final round against Gary last year - it was a fantastic feeling.

"And I'm looking forward to partnering him on Saturday because he's such a nice guy."

A 60-strong field, with a handicap of six or under, will play 36 holes medal play at Burnley on Saturday.

The top eight players with the best gross scores will then qualify for the quarter finals of the matchplay stages next week.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.