IT'S the one we've all been waiting for since the season began. I'm talking, of course, about the final of the Dr Billy O'Sullivan Shield, now in its 21st year, and it takes place this Saturday at 12pm at Killorglin Golf Club featuring Waterville and Ballybunion.

I'm fortunate that in this job I get to see a lot of golf up close and while the glamour of professional golf is a huge attraction whenever we happen to host a tournament in the county, I have always had a preference for the amateur game.

The Barton Shield, Senior Cup, Junior Cup etc can be really exciting, as can the other Cups and Shields, and the Ladies game too, has it's fair share of thrills as does the Junior game, but give me a Dr Billy final any day. I don't care what clubs are involved, there is nothing quite like the final of Kerry's favourite interclub competition.

This event has it all. I've seen eagles, birdies, holes won with 9s and 10s, topped tee shots, bladed chip shots, four-putts, three hundred yard drives. You name it, the Dr Billy has it all!

Remember that this is a competition for over thirty fives, of eighteen handicap and higher and it has captured the imagination of the county's golfing folk since it's inception twenty years ago when Ballybunion were the inaugural winners back in 1990.

So, as we approach the 21st final it might be nice to look back and recall the winners since the beginning.

Killarney hosted that very first final in 1990 when Ballybunion became the first name on the trophy after beating Dooks. The following year Ceann Sibeal played hosts and became the first host club to win, beating the previous year's winners in the final.

Dooks was the venue for the 1992 final where the fledgling Castlegregory club beat Ceann Sibeal.

On to Ballybunion the following year where the hosts who were celebrating their centenary, lifted the title for the second time beating old foes Tralee.

Kenmare the following year became the second host club in a row to win as they defeated Killarney who went on to lose to Tralee the next year in the final at Ceann Sibeal.

Having lost two finals on the trot, Killarney then won two on the trot, beating Dooks in the 1996 final at Killorglin and Kenmare in the 1997 final at Dooks.

Tralee hosted in 1998 and notched up their second title beating neighbours Ballyheigue and Killarney closed out the twentieth century with their third win against Beaufort in the 1999 final at Castlegregory.

The millennium title went to Dooks who beat Killorglin in the final at Killarney and the Killorglin side lost again the following year to Kenmare in Parknasilla.

2002 saw the name of Ballyheigue Castle on the trophy for the first time as they defeated Listowel in the final at Ballybunion and Kenmare hosted the following year and picked up their second title in three years against Castleisland.

Ross became another first time winner in 2004 when they beat Ballyheigue Castle at the newly-opened Castlerosse and Castleisland got their name on the trophy the following year following victory over Killorglin at Ceann Sibeal.

Having suffered defeat in three finals Killorglin finally got their hands on the trophy in 2006 beating Castleisland at Ardfert and Dooks took the honours the following year at Waterville when they beat Killarney who went on to win the following year beating Ceann Sibeal at Dooks.

Last year Ballyheigue used home advantage to win their second title beating Ceann Sibeal to complete the first twenty years of winners.

So what about this year's contestants? Well, I can tell you that Waterville are among the nine out of twenty Kerry clubs who have never won the title while Ballybunion have not won it for seventeen years and in an interesting link with the 1993 team, Jerry Enright will be trying to emulate his father Toddy who was a member of the victorious side in 1993.

In fact, Waterville have never even been in a final, so a little bit like Tipperary in the hurling, I guess that the other nineteen clubs in the county will be rooting for them and I must admit that while, yes, it would be nice to see another first time winner, not at the expense of my beloved Ballybunion I'm afraid.

Jackie Fitzpatrick has an experienced squad at his disposal in Waterville and I'm sure that they will be well prepared.

Mike Barry and John Stack on the other hand at Ballybunion, have used a rather unusual motivational tactic all season in that they don't name their team until minutes before the off, keeping all the members of their panel on their toes.

Playing in this final will be totally new territory for both sides and really, there is not a whole lot to pick between them. I honestly feel that whichever side handles the pressure and the nerves best on the day, will come through for victory.

En route to the final Waterville defeated Parknasill, Ross, Ceann Sibeal and Kenmare while Ballybunion eliminated Ardfert, Skellig Bay, the holders Ballyheigue Castle and finally Dooks.

I am looking forward to a great occasion, whoever wins on Saturday and I would like to wish both teams the very best of luck.

- Ger Walsh with all the news from the fairways of Kerry's golf clubs