While the name says Goodwill, there was little shown to Ed Whalley and his accompanying trio this week.

Long time visitor Whalley, professional at the Meadow Brook Golf Club in Reading, Massachusetts, arrived in Bermuda harbouring hopes of challenging in both the Belmont Invitational and Goodwill golf tournaments.

But all hope was lost when the pro reinjured one of his hands during his first swing at Sunday's Pro-Am event at Belmont.

Whalley's misfortune thus forced his withdrawal from the Goodwill team event due to start on Monday at four courses -- Mid Ocean, Castle Harbour, Belmont, Port Royal -- around the Island.

Still, the rest of his team, comprising amateurs Bob Young, Bill McDonough and Jim Robbins, had hoped to take part as planned using a substitute pro, as they had waited eagerly all year to fly to Bermuda and compete.

Local pro J.J. Madeiros had reportedly offered to fill the void left by Whalley, as had US pro Fran Kringle and others. But organisers scuppered any such proposal, even though many thought it to be an exceptional circumstance worthy of `bending the rule' that competing professionals must be closely affiliated with the particular club.

Longtime tournament director Muriel Parker gave a terse response when asked to comment on the situation.

"No comment, OK,'' responded an obviously perturbed Parker at the mere mention of Whalley.

Asked why a replacement would not be allowed, she replied: "Because it's against the rules of the tournament.'' And Parker grew angrier when it was asserted that organisers should perhaps have shown more compassion and -- yes -- `Goodwill'. "Look, I'm not going into this OK, I have no further comment, all right, thank you very much,'' said Parker, who then hung up the phone.

Whalley, who was furious over the tournament's refusal to allow a substitute, has since flown back to the United States for further treatment of his injury and could not be reached for comment, while the whereabouts of the remainder of the quartet were unknown.

Meanwhile, reigning champions Metuchen Golf and Country Club, hailing from New Jersey are due to arrive today in preparation for their defence.

Under the leadership of club pro Jim Miller, and featuring amateurs Dave Foley, Ray Romano and Joe Nita, Metuchen last year finally came good after more than a decade of Bermuda visits, snatching victory in the 43rd edition of the tournament.

DEFENDING CHAMPS -- Metuchen Golf Club, (from left) Joe Nita, Ray Romano, Dave Foley and pro Jim Miller, will be aiming to repeat their 1995 success when the Goodwill gets underway on Monday.