their golf equipment behind in the United States.

The party of 22 vacationers planned to tee-off this morning at Riddell's Bay Golf Club but they will have to miss their first day's play because the airline left their clubs and some luggage at Philadelphia International Airport.

The airline claimed the bags and equipment were not loaded for safety reasons, but Barbara McMahon, who arranged the trip, contacted The Royal Gazette yesterday to accuse USAir of spoiling the beginning of their holiday.

They arrived on the Island yesterday but were furious to find the airline had left golf equipment and some luggage behind.

Mrs. McMahon, from New Jersey, said: "My husband and I love Bermuda and we have enticed these people to come and now I am very discouraged, upset and embarrassed.

"We arrived around 12.30 and had hoped to be at the Pompano Beach Club by 2 p.m. at the latest.

"We spent two and a half hours at the USAir desk trying to find out what happened and basically they had no explanation. We didn't get to Pompano until 4.30 and we've lost half a day.

"We had booked tee-off times for tomorrow but we won't be able to play unless we rent clubs. If you have your own clubs, you know the difference.

"All the airline could say was they will be on the next flight here tomorrow, but I'm really concerned that it doesn't go to Anchorage, Alaska. It's quite possible we will have to wait for two to three days.'' Mrs. McMahon, a drug and alcohol administrator, said ten of her party were missing golf equipment, and 20 of the 22 were without between one and four pieces of luggage.

"One lady in our party has nothing. Bermuda has this wonderful tourism reputation and I'm not feeling that just now because of this.'' Earl Basden USAir's Bermuda Station Manager said the luggage will be on a flight arriving today and that it was not loaded for safety reasons.

"We could not put them on for weight and balance purposes. It was for their own safety,'' he said.

"We've explained everything to them and there is nothing we can do until the bags come.'' GOLFERS GOLF GLF