sponsorship money from ACE.

A cheque from the company was presented to Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association representatives today and the cash will bankroll the association's Schools Initiative Programme.

BLTA president David Lambert was delighted with the backing. "We have been working on this for a while and we want to thank the executive of ACE for merging with the BLTA and the ITF (International Tennis Federation) on this very exciting project.

"Our job at the association is to introduce the sport to everyone. And from September, thanks to ACE, every school in Bermuda will have tennis rackets and balls and there will be someone to come in to schools and help PE teachers.'' Three certified teaching pros have been chosen to take charge of the project by the BLTA, each given responsibility for schools in a geographical third of the Island.

Eugene Simmons will be the project officer for the west end, Brian Robinson for the east end and Walter Burgess for the central area schools.

Lambert said the ACE cash would go towards buying around 300 tennis rackets for youngsters and would finance the entire project.

ACE and the BLTA have teamed up before, when the company was the main sponsor of the Davis Cup tournament held at the Southampton Princess in 1997.

ACE spokesperson Amy Shillingford said yesterday: "David Lambert approached us a while back and asked if ACE would be interested in sponsoring the schools programme.

"ACE is interested in supporting things which involve a broad cross-section of the community and in particular, young people, and so we are delighted to help out with this project.'' Picture on page 18.

SMITH IS ISLAND'S TOP CONTENDER GOLF Smith is Island's top contender Bermuda's golf squad were in good shape following the medal rounds at the Canadian Junior Championships near Toronto, with seven of 12 members making it through to the match play phase of the event.

David Smith emerged as the leading contender for a title, as he enters today's quarter-final round in the boys 15-16 age group as the medalist.

Smith recorded scores of 67 and 76 over rounds under the stroke play format to pace the field at the spacious par 71 Royal Woodbine Country Club.

Also making the cut (156) in that division were Fraser Hunt (73-71--144), who placed third, and Steven Roy (75-75--150), who was sixth, joining Smith and 13 others. Missing out were Eric West (157), David Boyce (160) and Nick Dunkle (176).

Both local offerings were successful in the 12-14 bracket with Andy Boyce (76-73--149) qualifying third and Thomas Edwards fifth after carding scores of 76 and 77.

Neither Scott Roy (81-82--163) or Chris Smith (83-80--163) managed to go through in the Boys 17 to 18 bracket.

On the girls side Stephanie Lewis managed fourth on the basis of her 165 coming from scores of 79 and 86, while Laura Robinson's 174 (87-87) was good for sixth place and a spot in the final eight.

Quarter-final play takes place today.