McCourt ends 22-year wait

And it was a fitting victory for the affable 11 handicapper who smashed the previous record with his 157 points overall total.

McCourt has played on this tour for 22 years and, indeed, has finished in the runners-up position on several occasions.

Last week’s victory was built on a platform of consistency and having carded superb daily totals of 39, 39, 39 and 40 points - for a 72 holes total of 157 - and a sensational 10 points cushion on his nearest rival.

“Obviously, I’ve never played better,” admitted the Prehen man afterwards.

“I drove the ball really well and even playing in the final round, I never felt nervous. The ball always seemed to go when I had directed it and I took full advantage of scoring when on the greens,” he smiled.

“I’ve had a few close calls over the years but to finally win the Travellers has always been a personal ambition.”

Eamon failed to score at just one hole over the four days - on a short par four during the opening round at Poniente - so it was no surprise that his consistency kept him to the fore after every round.

He also won the final day’s individual prize with that magnificent 40 points finish and his 157 points is now the record tournament score over the 37 years of the event.

The runner-up was Sean McKane (19), City of Derry) on 147 with North-West’s Colm McCarroll (9) in third spot on 144.

McKane also played superbly over the 72 holes after he also lost out in last year’s play-off, he failed to make any dent in the six point lead which McCourt held when they teed-off in the final fourball at Santa Ponsa last Thursday.

Final round results - 1, break of tie, Eamon McCourt, 40 points; 2, Kevin Barrett, 40; 3, break of tie, Brian Long, 37; 4, Colm McCarroll, 37.

The top 10 finishes over the four days resulted - 1, Eamon McCourt (11), City of Derry, 157 points; 2, Sean McKane (19), City of Derry, 147; 3, Colm McCarroll (9), North-West, 144; 4, break of tie, Brian McClure (7), Ballynahinch, 141; 5, Andy Meenagh (15), City of Derry, 141; 6, Kevin Barrett (18), City of Derry, 138; 7, Maurice Quigg (18), City of Derry, 138; 8, Tommy McBride (4), City of Derry, 138; 9, Karl Doherty (16), City of Derry, 137; 10, Brian Long (5), City of Derry, 136.

Final team placings - 1, Peter Harkin’s team, 345 points; 2, Brian Long’s team, 344; 3, Colm McCarroll’s team, 338.

Meanwhile there was a huge turnout for the popular weekly Thursday Open at Prehen with quite a few visitors enjoying golf on an immaculately prepared course, with the greens running fast and true.

Trevor Heywood (20) who shrugged off a rather indifferent 15 points on the front nine with a superbly compiled 24 points on the way home for a winning total of 39 points.

Early starter, the prodigiously long hitter Tom McClintock (12) secured 23 points on the front nine but faltered on the home stretch with a measly 15 points that still was good enough to take second place on 38 points.

Dean Nutt (20) collected his first ever prize when securing third place albeit on a tie break with 36 points.

Former member Brian Wallace (7) and now domiciled in Dunfanaghy, also returned 36 points to take the visitors’ prize while Kealan Quigg (+1) secured the gross with 34. The Thursday Opens will continue through to October.

Meanwhile, single figure players took the major honours in the Dermot McDermott Memorial Cup on Saturday.

Pride of place went to Alan Philson (9) with an excellent 41 points which included no less than three twos at the 1st, 8th and 12th holes.

Terry Coyle (7) was second following a tie-break with 38 points while Tom McDermott (24) finished in third place and the gross winner was to Ernie Heywood (1) who scored 35 points.