Amateur Team Championships in Santiago, Chile, next year are being urged to enter the new Bermuda Golf Association medal play series which begins this Saturday.

According to BGA secretary Tom Smith, under a new format drawn up for the Order of Merit standings from which the national team is selected, considerable points will be at stake during the medal play series.

The sometimes controversial Order of Merit has been the subject of discussion by a BGA sub committee chaired by Lawrence Popplewell over the past four months.

Final deliberations have yet to be made. But, said Smith: "Top players who are setting their sights on making the 1998 team should certainly enter this first medal play event.'' Saturday's tournament is scheduled for Mid Ocean Club and is limited to men with a handicap index of under 10 and ladies under 12.

Meanwhile, the A division of the Amstel League winds up at Mid Ocean Club this Saturday.

Bermuda Junior Golf Association are already assured of lifting the title as they hold an 11 point lead over second-placed Riddell's Bay.

The B division, in which the BGA Men lead the BJGA team by six points, will play their final round at Riddell's Bay on July 19.