Retired Port Royal and St.George's Club manager, Max Atherden, successfully defended his men's Bermuda Senior Amateur Championship title at Riddell's Bay Golf Club yesterday.

The 60-year-old golfer carded a seven-over-par 77 in yesterday's final round to beat closest rivals Jeffrey Lindo and Adley Madeiros by a single shot.

Atherden started the day with a two-stroke lead and looked to be well on the way to defending his crown after making birdies at the second and sixth holes.

But two double bogeys on the back nine coupled by a late surge from Lindo nearly saw the title slip away from his grasp.

"I think Jeffrey was six shots behind. He made up a lot of ground, but thank goodness it wasn't enough to catch me up," said Atherden.

"It was very close and I was under a bit of pressure.

"I made two double bogeys on the back nine and so it was pretty tight. I wasn't watching Jeffrey and so it was sort of a match-play situation."

Atherden finished the event with a three-day total of 227 that included an opening round score of four-over-par 74 – his best round of the tournament.

"It was exciting out there. It was a bit breezy and the course was hard because we haven't had any rain. But all in all it was pretty good conditions," he added.

Lindo, who fired a two-over-par 72 yesterday, pipped Madeiros on retrogression for second place honours after the pair finished tied at 228.

In the Ladies' 36-hole event, Kathy Lloyd-Hines shot 16 over par and captured the title by a landslide.

The retired banker finished with a two-day total of 167 to complete the tournament 11 shots ahead of nearest rival Katherine Burnie. It was Hines' third straight Bermuda Senior Amateur Ladies title.

Third place honours went to Wendy Salvia.

Hines posted just one birdie yesterday.

"I think the key for me was the fact I was playing with ladies I knew and I enjoy their company. It was good camaraderie, good sportsmanship and a relaxing environment," Hines told The Royal Gazette.

"I had a couple of bogeys but overall I thought I putted pretty good today and had good concentration – that's what kept me focused. It was pretty windy out there, the greens were very fast while the pins were all placed on the slopes."

Scores – see Page 20