ALAN Squire, owner of the White Hart Hotel at Launceston, has been the most enthusiastic supporter and sponsor of the West Region PGA for decades.

He has funded and staged the White Hart pro-am followed by the two-day West Region PGA fourball betterball championship at Launceston Golf Club where he is a long-standing member.

This year marked the 30th anniversary of an event that is regarded as the most sociable and popular tournament of the year by the regional golfers.

And the PGA recognised Mr Squire's involvement last week. After the pro-am the regional secretary Glenn Ross and chairman David Haines from Brean Golf Club made a special presentation.

Mr Ross said: "Alan is a true friend of golf at all levels and he has been a marvellous supporter of the PGA over the years. The White Hart tournament even attracts those seasoned professionals who seldom play nowadays.

"They pencil in the date every year and book their rooms at the hotel for the following year. All players showed their feelings by all signing a special card of thanks which we handed over after the golf."

This year's pro-am was won by a trio of players. Ed Goodwin (Cirencester), Graham Howell (Ferndown Forest) and Chris Gill (Exeter Golf & Country Club) shot four-under-par 66, each winning £208.

Kevin Harper (Sidmouth), Ian Harrison (Monmouth), David Hutton (Hamptworth) and Trevor Jones (Hambrook) finished a shot further back.

Daniel Wood from Holsworthy Golf Club shot one-under-par 69 to lead home the winning team on 19-under-par 121 on a warm and sunny day when the immaculate greens and true-running fairways contributed to the low scoring.

His team from 3663 Catering Equipment was Peter Cox, Lee Searle and David Gregory. Howell, who is sponsored by the White Hart, led the second team from the hotel, Matt Luckhurst, Dan Sloman and Alan Parker on 124.

Three teams tied on 114 but Bonjour Estates, led by China Fleet's Dominic Rehaag with amateur partners Graham Ruth, the former Devon county captain from Tavistock, Vas Dimitrouski and Jimmy Hargreaves, were third on countback.