ANOTHER event, another opportunity . . .

Bermuda's juniors will benefit from the latest addition to the local tournament calendar when they take on their counterparts from North America next week in an event in which there's an added incentive to shoot low.

So far some 50 players from overseas have accepted invitations for the inaugural Bank of Bermuda Foundation International Junior Championship which will be played at Mid Ocean Club over the Easter weekend (March 27-30).

That's almost double the total (26) of Bermuda Junior Golf Association (BJGA) members who had confirmed their entry by early this week, although registration is limited to those with a handicap of nine or better.

But it's the Bermudians who stand to gain most.

The tournament has been organised in conjunction with the Jim McLean Future Collegians World Tour (FCWT) which puts on some 40 competitions throughout North America each year, 22 of which are recognised as "Golfweek/Titleist" ranked events.

And the FCWT has agreed to the following exemptions for the leading finishers in next week's 54-hole tournament:

The top five overall will be exempt for the FCWT National Championships at Doral in Miami, Florida, from May 24-27.

The top five BJGA members will be exempt for the same FCWT National Championships.

The sixth, seventh and eighth-placed BJGA finishers will be exempt for the FCWT Eastern Regional to be held from May 3-5 at World Woods in Brooksville, Florida. These players will then get a second bite at the cherry as from this event, the leading 24 go through to the National Championships at Doral.

In addition, the top 10 BJGA finishers, including ties, will all be exempt for two national ranked events over the next season.

Local coordinator Allan Dunkle says the overall objective is to provide as many junior golfers in Bermuda between the ages of 11 and 19 as possible an opportunity to compete at international level.

"There's kids from 17 states and six countries coming in," said Dunkle, whose son Nick will be among the local entrants.

"But the exemptions for the Bermuda players are amazing . . . to get into their nationals and regionals is a fantastic incentive.

"Basically we were able to negotiate that because the event came together at a good time for them. Easter was a good fit for us and them."

Next Wednesday will see an appreciation round for sponsors at Mid Ocean Club in conjunction with a final practice round for the juniors.

The tournament begins in earnest next Thursday.

"We think we've just got to get through the first year and more players will come from overseas, no sweat," added Dunkle. "We think it can really take off and we think we can make it attractive financially.

"We've been given the OK from the NCAA and the USGA in the States that when the kids get here, we can give them $200 towards their expenses. We've organised reduced air fares and hotel accommodation at Grotto Bay.

"We're giving a lot of things away with the help of the Bank. We're trying to use it as a promotion for Bermuda tourism, frankly.

"And Bermuda Tourism Department have been great, they've jumped in and put on a barbecue for the kids and parents, and they're funding lunches for the kids at Mid Ocean."

Exposure to some of the most talented teenage golfers in the US, however, will be the biggest plus for the local juniors, according to Dunkle.

"A lot of our kids have not played in a tournament like this before. We've let in as many as we can, and we think it's important for their development.

"When I go away with my son, we see kids who've been playing since they were six, they're real tournament tough. We need that exposure, our kids need to get tournament tough as well, and we feel this event is a great start."

Among those entered next week are some 20 players from the prestigious David Leadbetter Golf Academy in Florida, six of them from Bermuda _ Tashon DeSilva, Nick Dunkle, Sergio Edness, Aaron James, David Smith and Eric West.

Several other Americans have entered through their connections with the Jim McLean Tour.

Dunkle noted that the boys' 15-19 age division had been ranked by "Golfweek/Titleist", Bermuda becoming the only country outside the USA and Canada with a Tour Ranked event.

The "Golfweek/Titleist" rankings, he pointed out, were used by USA colleges for recruiting thus providing additional opportunities for Bermuda's youngsters to earn golf scholarships.

* * * *

A NEW president has been installed following last week's annual general meeting of the Bermuda Professional Golfers Association (BPGA) with Belmont pro Alex Madeiros replacing Leon Williams at the helm.

Eardley Jones remains treasurer but a new executive committee has also been formed consisting of Darren Swan, Bentley Gibbons, Andrew Trott, Frankie Rabain, Dwayne Pearman and Derrick Douglas.

Madeiros says a number of new initiatives are in the works - more on that story in next week's column.