MAGNIFICENT seven may be a clich, but the phrase acutely describes Dave Holder's blistering barrage of birdies to reach the York Union Match-play semi-finals.

The York Golf Club stalwart hammered an astonishing seven consecutive birdies - one adrift of the world record - in a quarter-final duel against Fulford GC's Chris Stericker that was as outstanding for its sportsmanship as it was for its marvellous marksmanship.

Such was Holder's grip on the pulsating proceedings over the inward nine holes that by the 16th the tie was over. However, Stericker was so wowed by the expert exploits of his opponent that he implored the scintillating show must go on as Holder closed in on the world record of eight consecutive birdies.

Unfortunately, the rampaging run ended on the 18th hole, which 38-year-old Holder bogeyed.

But, even now, after his magical mauling of a course where he has been a member for the last 22 years, Holder was still buzzing.

"When I look back now, to be honest, I feel like it was somebody else playing out there. I seemed to be walking on air and it didn't feel as if it was me. Everything I hit just went right," he enthused.

Holder, twice a York Union Amateur champion, but twice a runner-up in the battle for the Match-play title, also paid a lavish tribute to his opponent, who had a birdie three on the tenth hole to go two up.

That was the signal for Holder's hole lot of treasure trove as he devastated the run-in to the clubhouse.

"My initial feeling was to try to get back into the match," said two-handicapper Holder, who sells printing equipment.

"I birdied the 11th and 12th holes to get back to all-square. Then on the 13th Chris chipped in from 50 feet for a par four. That left me a five-foot putt for birdie which I sank to go into the lead.

"That gave me the confidence to go on. After gaining shots on the next two holes we came to the 16th and I birdied that to win the match 4 and 2. Chris was absolutely great. He said to me 'let's carry on' adding that he thought the world record was eight consecutive birdies by Ian Woosnam so we should continue the round.

"I had a three-foot putt on the 17th for the seventh birdie. But then it ended on the 18th hole, where I dropped a shot.

"Even so I was still shaking from it all. I'd come back on the inward nine in 29 shots and 66 for the round. Chris, meanwhile, had shot 70. And while I'd birdied those holes he'd parred them, so he had played really well also.

"The best thing was there were no 'gimmes' in the round.

"We never gave each other any putts."

Through now to the semi-finals, where he will play Scarthingwell's P Jolliffe at The Oaks - venue for both semis and final on the same day of September 27 - Holder did not envisage a repeat of his birdie blitz.

"I've had three on the run before but never seven.

"It was just a one-off day which will live with me for ever," he ventured.

THE York Union of Golf Clubs' Yorkshire Inter-Union team could be forgiven for seeing double tomorrow.

With several regular players unavailable, the selectors have drafted in teenage twin brothers Richard and Michael Stephenson, from The York GC, into the side for the fixture against the Sheffield Union at Wath GC. The duo are following in their father's footsteps. Howard Stephenson was a long-time stalwart of the Union team.

There will also be a debut for Forest of Galtres GC player Chris Blagden. He will become the first player from the Wigginton club to gain Union honours.

The full York Union team is: Jim Batt (Heworth); Martin Brown, Adrian Lount, Jonathan McNutt (all Pike Hills); James Duckett, Matthew Lord, James Mason (all Fulford); Sean Ramsdale, Neil Thompson, capt, (both Scarthingwell); Michael Stephenson, Richard Stephenson (both The York); Chris Blagden (Forest of Galtres).

MALTON and Norton's GC's Pat Ruddock carried off the honours in the York Union of Golf Clubs' annual Fulford Rose Bowl competition.

The event, in which female players compete in rounds at their own club to qualify for the grand final, concluded at Scarthingwell GC and Pat proved the queen of clubs.

The 28-handicapper blasted the field apart with a nett 63 to win by seven shots from her nearest challenger, Ouida Blake (20 handicap) from the Pike Hills club.

Third place went to The Oaks' Katie Dobson (2) on count-back from Heworth's Pat Yearsley after both posted nett rounds of 71.

THE Kilnwick Percy Am-Am strokeplay competition, in which the best two nett scores counted, was won by Steve Cooper, David Kilford, Steve Johnson and Linda Johnson on 123.

Second, a stroke behind, were Peter Williamson, Mark Gatenby, Phil Curtis and Peter Hawkett, while third on 130, on count-back, were Richard and Linda Pink and Tony and Joy Biggin.

The club's Texas scramble was won by Toby and Will Gowthorpe, Lee Eastoe and Jamie Nesfield on 65 ahead of Tony, Sue and Chris Smith, plus Les Clarkson, on 66.

ACES high were celebrated by Margaret Bell, who holed in one at Forest of Galtres GC's par-three 142-yard third hole with a three-wood into a strong wind, and Doug Martin, a 13-handicap member of Fulford GC. He holed in one at the tenth with a six iron.

IT was clever Trevor time at Forest of Galtres GC, where Trevor Boddison was crowned the new club champion after two excellent gross rounds of 73 and 76 to win by four shots from Peter Renton (78 75). Nick Marchant (76 80) was third.

Updated: 11:00 Saturday, September 06, 2003