The feared hurricanes may not arrive, but organisers of the Gillette Tour Challenge are confident that the weather conditions tomorrow will be awkward enough to make the 24 top players signed up for the event prove their mettle.

Last week, Michael Dunkley, vice president of the Mid Ocean Club, venue for the $1.8 million competition, was casting a nervous eye towards the south west, where Georges and Jeanne were developing, and hoping they didn't switch course to threaten both the Island and the tournament.

Fortunately for the Island it was the Caribbean which bore the brunt of Georges' fury before it moved inland in the United States, while Jeanne, reckoned to be the biggest potential danger to Bermuda, was last tracked blowing itself out towards the Azores.

However, lesser winds from the west of about 10-15 knots are forecast for tomorrow's 8.00 a.m start -- and with the shape of the course, that could sort out the men from the boys, so to speak.

Mid Ocean chairman of golf Marty Svensen said yesterday: "If it's coming from the west, they'll be playing straight into it on the front nine. But that'll be good because we want something to test them out a bit.'' A number of the pros -- eight from each of the three main tours, the PGA, LPGA and Seniors, will compete in a best-ball format -- were out on the course yesterday, among them Rosie Jones, a recent member of the triumphant US Solheim Cup team and 15th on the money list from her 23 tournaments this year.

Jones was joined on the greens by Billy Andrade, a competitor in the Bermuda Open two years ago, but set to make his first appearance in the Gillette event.

"The course is in the best condition it's ever been,'' added Svensen. "The greens are running true and quickly and the rough is up.'' Several of the field had not arrived yesterday, mainly those who were still vying for places in the final rounds of their respective competitions. Among them were three leading LPGA players, Laura Davies, Se Ri Pak and Annike Sorenstam, who were at the Betsy King Classic in Pennsylvania and seniors Hale Irwin and Gil Morgan, both contesting the Boone Classic in St Louis.

A specially chartered plane conveying them to the Island was due to land at the airport in the early hours of this morning.

There would then be little chance to rest before they were due up again to compete in today's Pro-Am tournament, which starts at 11.45 a.m.

And just to prove the jet-set lifestyle of the international golfer doesn't end there, they are then expected at the pre-tournament dinner this evening, when the draw for the main event will be made.

SE RI PAK -- the Korean golf sensation was due to arrive early this morning for today's Pro-Am and tomorrow's Gillette Tour Challenge.