Composure, consistency, rhythm and patience are the keys to success in golf¬just ask Westbury resident Alan Specht. They were the ingredients he used to capture the Long Island Amateur Stroke Play Championship held Aug. 30-31 on Eisenhower Park's "Red Course."

After firing a one-under 71 to finish the first round tied for first, Specht maintained his composure while scrambling to shoot a 75 in the second and final round. That was good enough to hold off hard charges from runners-up Ed Gibstein and Adam Tucker.

Specht's 146 was one stroke better than Gibstein and Tucker. Gibstein, the tournament's most consistent competitor, fired a 73 and 74, while Tucker could not keep pace in the final round, shooting a 76 after scorching the greens for a 71 in the first round.

"This was a great tournament, featuring clutch shot making and aggressive play," said Joe Donahue, executive director of the Long Island Golf Association. "Alan held off a talented field, which included some of Long Island's best golfers.