Delgany have transformed mundane Mondays into a financial boost for the club through the introduction of senior semi-open competitions. After the success of an event eight days ago, five others are planned for this season.

"Normally we would have about 20 people playing golf here on a Monday," said the club's secretary/manager Robbie Kelly. "But at last week's seniors semi-open, the figure rose to about 140, of whom up to 60 were green-fees."

He went on: "With as much as 65 per cent of our members in this category, we first tried it at the end of last season and it went so well that we have now circularised up to 20 clubs in our area, advising them of upcoming competitions. Monday's time sheet was almost full and our bar takings rose from £150 to about £1,000."

The lower age limit is 50; the green-fee is £7 and the entry-fee is £3. Incidentally, the class-one winner on March 15th was local five-handicapper Dick Cotter, whose card was particularly notable for birdies at all four par-threes.