HUGH MACKEOWN found a highly appropriate way of celebrating his recent graduation to senior status by capturing the top, net award in the Benson and Hedges Links Society Outing at Royal Dublin yesterday. The Dublin businessman shot a brilliant six-under-par 66 to win by no fewer than five strokes.

Now playing off two, Mackeown gained amateur international honours back in 1973. And a stamp of quality was very much in evidence as he carded eight birdies while coping with a cold, easterly wind which faced him on the outward journey.

Paul McGinley had a best gross of 71, beating fellow tournament professional David Higgins by one stroke after the Waterville player had run up a double-bogey six on the 18th. "It was my first time playing the hole and I wasn't quite sure about the line to take," said Higgins ruefully.

He played all six strokes, unlike Niall Crimmins who hit two balls out of bounds and later holed a three-iron in a rather unorthodox route to the same score.

Meanwhile, McGinley made few errors, driving the ball solidly, particularly on a back nine of 35 that contained birdies at the 12th (three-iron to 18 feet) and the 16th (drive to 20 feet).

Mackeown, who was 55 last month, had halves of 34, the second of which contained a run of four birdies from the 14th. Generally, his exploits had much to do with delightful putting. "After sinking a 20-footer at the first, I had the feel of the greens," he said. It was his first overall Links win in 20 years.

A further highlight of an eventful day was a hole-in-one by Co Louth professional Paddy McGuirk at the 198-yard sixth, where he hit a "quiet" three-wood into the wind.

. The late British writer Peter Dobereiner was named winner of the Golf Writers Association of America's William H Richardson Award for his consistent contribution to golf. Dobereiner, who died of cancer last summer, wrote nearly 30 books on the game, its players and its courses.