The area finals of the Chiquita Longest Drive Challenge were held last weekend and senior golfer Peter O'Flanagan (Woodbrook) upstaged the young guns to hit the longest shot of all, a 271-yard effort at Milltown. The event was limited to 20 Dublin clubs with three age categories for men and women, under-20, under-50 and 50-plus. Each club first held its own qualifier and now the top two in each category from the southside play-offs (Milltown) and northside play-offs (Luttrellstown) will contest the finals at Milltown next Sunday.

There will certainly be home interest on the day as local members Anna Neary (under-20), Judith O'Sullivan (under-50) and Rhona Fanagan (50-plus) topped their categories in the southside play-off although all were short of St Anne's member Bernice O'Halloran whose best effort at Luttrellstown reached 240 yards. Each contestant is allowed three attempts and only drives which finish on the fairway are valid. The organisers hope to take the event nationwide next year.