Own course tamed

Local knowledge proved a huge bonus for Royal Dublin professional Leonard Owens when he played as a guest in the Press Radio …

Local knowledge proved a huge bonus for Royal Dublin professional Leonard Owens when he played as a guest in the Press Radio and TV golfing society outing. In windy conditions, he negotiated his own course in an impressive five-under-par 67.

He was out in 31 - five under par - and then came back into the teeth of the win in level par 36. His 41 points won him the visitors' prize. The Royal Dublin professional has just won his card on the European Seniors Tour and intends to play as many events as possible during the forthcoming season.

Meanwhile, at the same outing another sporting name was also among the prizes. Simon Behan - who plays his club golf in Howth - finished third behind Owens on 36 points. Behan won an All-Ireland senior football medal for Dublin in 1963. Earlier this year he retired from Texaco, where he played a big part in organising the Texaco Sports Stars Awards each year.