Doyle shows the way

A local quartet, spearheaded by former tennis professional Matt Doyle, took top prize in the Audi Chris de Burgh Classic at The K Club yesterday. With the course playing unusually long, their 87 points represented admirable scoring in testing, wet conditions.

They were a point clear of the team led by professional Jim Carvill, who is heading for the European Challenge Tour next week. His timely, individual effort of 72 was particularly notable for the fact that he recovered from a wretched, triple-bogey seven at the ninth, where he thinned a bunker recovery into bushes behind the green.

As usual, the event attracted quite a share of celebrities, among them the former Arsenal and Ireland midfielder, Liam Brady. Playing right-handed off 14, which he described as "a footballer's handicap", his strong back nine included gross pars at the 13th, 15th and the short 17th.

Now head of youth development at Arsenal, these are clearly happy times for him at Highbury. "But I always welcome the opportunity of a trip back to Dublin," said Brady with a smile.

Doyle used his striking power to splendid effect, but a deft touch around the greens was also evident in 11 contributions to the card. Playing off two, he had gross birdies at the first and 15th, net birdies at the seventh and 16th and gross pars at the 12th, 13th, 17th and 18th.

Noel O'Callaghan, off 24, contributed a net birdie to give the team an impressive six points at the treacherous 16th; Robbie Dolan had six net birdies and Pat Mangan, vice-captain of The K Club, was on the card seven times. Shot of the day, however, was a holed approach by Gerry Purcell for a two, net one, at the 10th.

87 pts - M Doyle (2), N O'Callaghan (24), R Dolan (10), P Mangan (8) all The K Club; 86 - J Carvill (scr) with P Maher (15) Hermitage, P McGuirk (14) Old Conna, D Rheinisch (18) Beech Park; 83 - E Liston (11) Tralee, P O'Donnell (15) Castlewarden, F Byrne (13) Tramore, B Fitzgerald (8) Royal Dublin; 82 - B Rock (11) Ashbourne, S O'Flanagan (14) Luttrellstown Castle, J Byrne (14) Castle, R Moran (17) Castle on back nine from N Fox Snr (12) Portmarnock, P Whelan (9) The K Club, G Brannigan (16) Beech Park, E O'Reilly (9) The K Club.