The Links golfing society will open its winter season with the Bank of Ireland-sponsored event at The Island golf club on Thursday. Des Smyth, Eamonn Darcy and Philip Walton will be anxious to get a trial run over the North Dublin links in preparation for the following week's Irish Professional Championship at the same venue.

International Noel Fox will lead a strong amateur field that also includes Jody Fanagan, Barry Reddan and Frank Gannon. The Links, who raised £509,615 for numerous charities last year, will also have outings to Royal Dublin on November 11th and Co Louth on December 2nd.