Metuchen Golf and Country Club finally came good after more than a decade of Bermuda visits, snatching victory yesterday in the 43rd Goodwill Tournament.

The New Jersey quartet of professional Jim Miller, Dave Foley, Ray Romano and Joe Nita clinched their first title after recording their second successive round of 59, this time at Castle Harbour, that allowed for a four-round net total of 234 -- four strokes better than runners-up Plantation Country Club.

The team managed the remarkable feat of firing in the 50s at all four courses during the week, something almost unheard of, and even Miller struggled to come to grips with what his team had achieved.

"I've been coming here nine or 10 years and this is the first time we've won and it's just wonderful, we're all excited,'' said Miller, who credited the performances of his three amateur team-mates, Foley, Romano and Nita for the triumph.

"My team was just phenomenal. Talk about ham and egg, these guys were so good when the pressure was on that I can't say enough about them. It was a total team effort and everybody contributed.

"A lot of times we only had one ball in the hole and a guy would sink a long putt. These guys were great.'' However, Foley was quick to note that it was Miller who led from the front, inspiring the rest of the group.

He highlighted the pro's pair of eagles on the fourth and 10th holes yesterday as being particularly important, along with one from Romano at the 12th.

"Everybody on the team contributed to the victory, but our golf professional was absolutely outstanding,'' added Foley. "Whenever we -- the amateurs -- weren't there he was there and he carried us. We almost won three years ago and one of the fellas who was with us three years ago isn't here this year.'' It was back in 1992 when Metuchen held the lead at the half-way stage, but squandered their chances with a poor second half showing.

This year the foursome arrived focused on winning and carried out their programme with precision, tallying rounds of 59, 57, 59 and 59.

"We wanted to win it,'' said Miller. "I had the best group of competitors I could ever imagine and I figured this year was my chance to really win. "The last time we came (three years ago) we had the halfway lead and we blew it.

But (this time) we were really determined.'' Plantation entered the day two shots adrift, but were unable to gather ground on an in-form Metuchen, registering a 61 at Mid Ocean Club. Trenton, likewise two back after the third round, fell even harder, ballooning to 68 (245 overall) at the same venue, their worst score of the week.

Placing third were Lago Mar Golf and Country Club at 240, while 1994 winners Long Cove Club were fourth on 241.

Tops among the local entries were Belmont at 247 followed by Riddell's Bay (250) and Mid Ocean and Southampton Princess (both 253).

In the gross division Winchester Country Club captured first place on the tails of a 259 showing, followed by Mid Ocean Club (260) and Secession Golf Club (264).

Final scores -- see Scoreboard