seized their first Goodwill Golf Tournament championship yesterday.

Led by club professional Bob Patton, the Hilton Head Island foursome, also containing Dave Myers, Bob Parlanti and Rich Covelli, scorched around Port Royal, carding the week's best score at the west end course of net 58.

That score gave Cove a four round total of 238, enough to nip St. Louis Country Club of Missouri by a single stroke.

St. Louis, with pro Steve Spray heading the charge, equalled Cove's 58 while playing at Castle Harbour, but still fell agonisingly short of the target.

Long Cove entered the day trailing Lago Mar by one shot and tied with local outfit Riddell's Bay at 180. Mar fell out of contention as they ballooned to a 64 at Castle Harbour, while Riddell's Bay were unable to maintain the hot pace although they did record a creditable 60 for 240 overall that was good enough to guarantee third place.

"We knew it was going to be a little tough, coming in one shot behind the leaders, who were playing at Castle Harbour and us at Port Royal,'' said Patton, relaxing in his hotel room last night. "We were very fortunate. We stuck together as a team, played well and it turned out to be a good day.

"The things that have to go your way to win a golf tournament happened for us. We made putts and everyone came through when he needed to.

"Eric Parker was our marker and he commented on how everyone took turns coming through and you couldn't point to any one individual.

"It's certainly satisfying to know that we played well and came from behind on a very tough course.'' Emerging as the surprise side was Riddell's Bay, who would have been rarely mentioned last week as a leading contender.

Yet the quartet of professional Darren Swan and amateur members Norman Wilson, Tom Wilding and Michael Moniz were steady all week, with their worst round a not-so-shabby 63 at Port Royal.

"It was great to do well, we pulled each other through all week,'' said an obviously pleased Wilson. "We didn't expect to be there at the end, but we were and really enjoyed being in the thick of the action.

"It was a bit hard to get there today and then have to wait and find out we were pipped at the end, but it's been a fun week.'' Top remaining net scores at the various courses had Pease Golf Club fire a 55 at Belmont, while Crestview scored 59 at Mid Ocean.

Meanwhile, the gross division title went to local club Ocean View who won a play-off with visiting Waynesborough after both ended on 264.

SO CLOSE -- Riddell's Bay golfers fared best of all among the Bermuda teams taking part in this week's annual Goodwill Tournament, and came desperately close to clinching the overall net title after their final round of 60 at Castle Harbour yesterday. That score left them with a total of 240 just two shots behind winners Long Cove Club from South Carolina and in third place.

Pictured (from left to right) are the Riddell's Bay foursome, Norman Wilson, professional Darron Swan, Mike Moniz and Tom Wilding.