BRYAN OMELIA has been kept away from the golf course, quite literally, by a pain in the neck for over a week. But the Newlands player is confident he will be able to fly out as part of a three man Irish invasion force for the prestigious St Andrews Links Trophy this weekend.

"I'm hungry for golf now and, in a way, the rest might have done me some good," said Omelia, who sustained the mild whiplash injury in a fall. "I have received intensive physiotherapy and I'm 99 per cent sure that I'll be able to play at St Andrews."

It will be Omelia's first visit to the home of golf and he will start his Links Trophy campaign over the Old course, while Walker Cup player Jody Fanagan and Noel Fox will set out over the New course.

Indeed, the St Andrews tournament will kick start a busy few weeks for Omelia. He is missing the East of Ireland in favour of the British Amateur Championship at Royal St Georges and will then compete in the Irish Open strokeplay championship at Fota Island.

"Oh, brother!" The novel, inaugural Three Brothers Golf Classic held in Youghal proved to be an outstanding success ... and produced a home win for good measure.

The Kencry brothers - John, Pat and Michael - won the two day event with 172 points, beating the Coleman brothers - Dan, Olan and Jim, also from Youghal, on countback. Tony, Eamon and Patrick Keane from Waterford finished third a point further back.