shone for Atlanta resident Tim Conley yesterday as he held off the challenge of local Kim Swan to win the Gosling's Amstel Belmont Invitational Championships by one stroke.

Conley, the 1991 champion, who held a one-stroke lead over Swan going into yesterday's final round, matched the Bermudian's second straight 69 to win by the narrowest of margins, finishing the four rounds with a one-over par 281.

"I knew I had to shoot under par in case someone shot a 66 or 67,'' explained Conley champion afterwards. "I'm really disappointed in the way I played though I got up and down a lot for pars.

"Kim Swan played real good but when I was often putting after him and when he made a 10-footer I made a five-footer for par. We both missed some greens and hit some greens.'' Conley, who did not play in the Belmont Invitational last year because he was playing on the PGA Tour, said one of the turning points for Swan was on number eight when he played a shot over the green and made bogey.

"That was the turning point because he didn't birdie nine or 10 and now he had to force birdies,'' explained Conley. "It took him until the 17th to make one after that and all I did was stay one shot in front of him all day long.

"The first good solid shot I made today was a three wood on 13, which I put 12 feet from the pin. Kim hung in there and he pushed me right to the end.'' Swan, chasing his first Belmont title, was aiming for a score of 66 on the deciding final round. He did not get it and in the end had to settle for his best placing in the tournament.

"I'm a little disappointed, I felt going out I had to shoot a 66 and that was my target,'' he said. "My main emphasis was to play the first nine better. I had played it badly all week, 37, 35, 36 and today I shot a 33.'' Swan had three birdies in his round, two on the front nine on holes three and five and just one on the back nine, on number 17.

"I wasn't trying to play my opponent, just trying to concentrate on a score rather than my opponent,'' he added.

"Until the last couple of holes that's what I did. On holes nine through 13, I let a few birdie opportunities slide away and it hurt me a little bit.

"I didn't birdie 10, which I birdied every day previously. I didn't take advantage of opportunities but I never shot myself in the foot. I made a great birdie on 17, which put me two behind with one to play.'' Third overall was visiting amateur Joe Carr, whose four rounds of steady golf earned him the senior title by a commanding 15 strokes over Charlie Moore.

Yesterday Carr shot an even-par 70 to finish five over for the tournament.

Carr was three strokes behind Swan.

"It would have been nice to win,'' Carr said. "It was one of those days, I made 16 pars, a double-bogey and an eagle but I couldn't make any birdie putts.

"I'm disappointed in the way I played, but if I had made a few putts it would have made a difference. The only problem I had was they weren't able to cut the fairways. And though they let you clean the balls, you were hitting it out of long grass. But the competition was great.'' Scott Mayne won the junior amateur prize with a four-round score of 287 following his 69 yesterday while Tim Carr was second on 296 and Hav Trott third on 308.

Noel Van Putten retained his senior amateur title with a four-round score of 314, 10 strokes better than Roger Harvey on 324. David Wills was third on 325.

Full scores were not made available by organisers last night.

The final medal play competition for 1993 takes place at Port Royal GC next Saturday. Those wishing to enter should call BGA secretary Tom Smith at 238-1367 before 6 p.m. on Tuesday.

BGA members are also reminded of the annual general meeting, which is scheduled for December 15 at 8 p.m. at Belmont.

CHAMPIONS JUNIOR AND SENIOR -- Tim Conley, left, captured the junior pro title by one stroke over Kim Swan while Joe Carr was a more comfortable winner in the senior division.