Match Play Championship this week.

But with the Mid Ocean course some way from its prime and the forecast of stormy weather, not to mention a formidable field of overseas players, there will be no easy route to Saturday's final.

As the defending champion, Vallis can skip today's qualifying round which will determine who plays in tomorrow's opening round of the championship flight.

And the same privilege is extended to local teenager Laura Robinson who, at 16, last year became one of the youngest women's champions in the event's history.

While "reasonably confident'', Vallis admits he needs no reminding of the calibre of player attracted to what historically has been one of Bermuda's toughest and most prestigious tournaments.

One apparent threat to his title will come from first-time entrant Gene Elliott, winner of both the Iowa State and the Iowa Mid-Amateur crowns last year.

Medallist at the US Amateur at Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill in 1999 and also medallist at the US Open qualifying in Des Moines, Elliott makes his Island debut as a result of meeting and playing with Vallis in the US last year.

"He's a very good player,'' said Vallis. "I played a practice round with him yesterday and he knows the game.'' The local doctor also points to ex-professional Stan Lee, another American whom he eliminated in last year's semi-finals, as a player to watch.

Then there's also local police officer Tim Carr, a former winner and beaten finalist last year, as well as a host of visiting low handicappers who make up almost half the men's 40-plus field.

"I'm reasonably confident, but it'll all boil down to putting as it usually does,'' said Vallis.

"The course has been difficult this year because of all the rain, so it's not in its best shape. The greens are a bit slow, but hopefully they'll be able to cut the grass down a bit this week and it will be in reasonable shape.

"The greens will be different for those guys coming in from the States, they're much slower here and a bit more difficult to handle. But it doesn't take long for good players to get used to them, although many of them won't have played much lately because of the weather in the States.'' As for the rain and wind that has been forecast for this week, Vallis said he hoped that particular storm would blow north, although he conceded at Mid Ocean the wind would always be a factor.

"I'm used to playing in it, but I think everybody nowadays plays in different conditions, so everybody's used to playing in the wind.

"Players travel a lot more, they play competitive golf all over and they're used to playing in different conditions.

`If anybody has an advantage, it's those who can stay calm in the wind.'' Among the notable absentees this week are Bermuda's top US collegiate player Michael Sims, who is studying at Rhode Island, and last year's Amateur Strokeplay champion Robert Spurling, who is also overseas.

However, Eric West and Jarryd Dillas are two other products of the Bermuda Junior Golf Association programme who could be in the running.

Among the smaller women's field, Robinson will be challenged by five players from overseas while another local teenager, Stephanie Lewis, beaten first flight finalist last year, could also be a threat.

Robert Vallis: Bermuda's top amateur faces some stiff opposition from overseas.