The tour, now in its second season, sees professionals and amateurs competing together in two separate singles competitions . . . The Emerald Pros and The Emerald Amateurs. The opportunity to play with professionals has particularly impressed the new amateur members.

The Emerald Pro-Am tour is run over some of the top courses in Leinster . . . Carton House, The Heritage, Powerscourt and Knightsbrook .

With 23 events running until April, the tour offers a unique golfing experience.

The website www. emeraldprotour. com is the perfect place to start. where all details on the tour can easily be found. Questions and queries can be directed to Ciaran on info@allingolf. ie or 086-0807280.

Over 50 players took part in what proved to be a highly entertaining day for all involvedat Knightsbrook on Friday, sponsored by Desmonds Newsagents and All in Golf Ltd. Testing greens, undulating fairways and a slight breeze greeted the players when they arrived on this par-72 parkland course, but it was a good day for scoring and the winning scores certainly didn't disappoint.

With 20 professionals lining up, including former Irish PGA Champion, David Mortimer, it was going to take a great score to win and Jussi Pitkanen of Navan Golf Club duly delivered.

A good overall performance was helped by eight birdies, six of which arrived on the par threes and par fives. Four bogeys put an end to a truly great round but Jussi's 68 shots were three better than his nearest rivals . . . John Kelly of St Margarets and Mark Staunton of Black Bush. The duo played steady golf with Kelly's eagle on the 13th being the high point of his round. Pitkanen collected a cheque for 500 for his win. One shot further back was Greg Bowden, a previous Order of Merit Champion, and James Quinlivan.

Golfers with handicaps ranging from 0 to 18 battled it out to win The Emerald Pro-Am Tour's first event and one man destroyed the rest of the field. Ruairi O'Moran convincingly won with his 41 point tally.

Playing off 10, the Elmgreen member blitzed Knightsbrooks' back nine coming in with a total of 23 points. Second place went to debutant Paul Brennan (6) of Knockanally who also had his back nine to thank as it separated him from the four other players with the same score. Paul McIntyre (8) from Newbridge took third place.

Last year's Order of Merit Champion, Tadhg Harrington will be turning his attention to another Emerald Pro-Am Tour member, Mick McDermott, when he caddies for him next week as he attempts to gain his European Tour Card. Other members . . . Gary Cullen, Alan Murray, and Mark Campbell . . . also compete in the second stage of Q-School. The Emerald Pro-Am Tour wishes them the very best of luck.

Next Friday, The Emerald Pro-Am Tour will continue on the O'Meara course in Carton House.

See our website www. emeraldprotour. com for further information.