The North West Golfing Alliance starts its 33rd season at Letterkenny on Saturday. The alliance is one of the oldest in the country and this year it is captained by the long-hitting Dessie Ferry of Letterkenny.

The entries will include the usual mixture of hopeful club golfers with two professionals in SΘamus McBriarty and Conor Mallon, while also in the field are Enda McMenamin, a former professional, and current interprovincial Michael McGeady.

Among the club golfers and administrators competing are Ciarβn Burke, Barry Ramsay and Jackie Graham of the GUI and Cecil Doherty of Ballyliffin.

The only founder member still competing is Derry architect Liam McCaul. As usual the field will be led off by Gerry Coyle, who for many years now has had the honour of striking the first ball to announce the arrival of the winter season.