Former Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Arunas Vasys and wife Patricia shot a four over par 74 to capture a maiden Pompano Couple's Classic title at the first attempt at Riddell's Bay Golf Club yesterday.

The Chicago couple, who fell in love with Bermuda on their first visit to these shores six years ago, had a three-day total of six -under-par 204 which was sufficient to hand them a three-stroke victory over nearest rivals Mark and Jenny Brockway, James and Gerry Walton and Stephen and Jeanne Mager who all finished the tournament with a three-under-par 207.

Gross Division honours went to Florida couple Richard and Cathy Caverly (225) who also shot a four over par 74 yesterday to successfully defend their title.

"All of the people that come to this tournament basically want to do the same thing we do, which is to play golf and have fun. We are never going to be professionals and just enjoy the competition," elated ex-NFL player Vasys told The Royal Gazette.

"Patricia is very good off the tee while I am good with my irons and putting.

"We just melted together really well and played well when we really had to.

"The courses here are very challenging and a lot shorter than the courses back in the States.

"But at the same time there's no par fives and so they play long and are very challenging.

"The courses here are really in good condition and one of the reasons why we keep coming back to Bermuda is to play all of the different courses."

The Vasyses shot identical five-under-par 65s on the first two days of the 54 -hole event and entered yesterday's final round tied for first with the Walton couple from South Carolina. The Chicago couple had just two birdies yesterday's as wet and blustery winds made for very challenging conditions.

Six foot, two inch former linebacker Arunas was drafted by the Eagles in 1966 while wife Patricia is a former vice-president of Sears, one of America's largest retailers.

"The last three days have just been absolutely awesome.

"Not only just golfing but also meeting all the different people that we met here has just been spectacular," Arunas' wife Patricia commented.

"We've made friends and have already planned trips with friends and we will be back again next year to golf here. This is a great way to see the island."