Lobster Pot Invitational golf tournaments as a mystery bug at Castle Harbour continued to decimate his 100-plus overseas field.

The show, said Reiter, would go on. But he lashed out at Government's health department for causing confusion among the 150 or so players, family and friends who flew in from the US for the annual week-long event.

"The problems have been compounded by Government statements,'' said Reiter.

"Our guests are afraid. They don't know what to believe, whether to stay or fly back home.

"Just about everybody has been sick at some time or another, some worse than others. It's been a very difficult week.'' The sickness was initially thought to have been caused by contaminated water in the tanks at Marriott, but Government's Chief Medical Officer John Cann later told the media he believed the problems had been caused by an airborne virus, possibly brought in from overseas.

Reiter said he and others believed contaminated water was at the root of the problem. "I think it's got into the ice machines,'' he said.

Monday's opening round of the 54-hole Lobster Pot Pro-Am saw a dozen overseas players fail to show for their tee-off as they were too sick.

And while several returned for the second round on Tuesday, yesterday's annual Charity Pro-Am which was to have involved local players and overseas pros, began without the professionals.

"Too many of them were sick and couldn't play,'' explained Reiter. "We decided to make it a purely amateur event because it wouldn't have been fair for some teams to have a pro and others not.'' As it was, Reiter's week of woes worsened when torrential rain washed out yesterday's event after less than an hour.

The downpour flooded greens and sent players scurrying back to the clubhouse.

Reiter said a new date for the event would be announced soon.

However, organisers were then forced to make a decision last night on whether to play today's separate 18-hole professional and amateur championships as well as conclude the 54-hole team event tomorrow.

"We've decided to go ahead,'' confirmed Reiter, following two meetings last night. "But I don't know how many of the pros will play. We'll just have to see how they feel.'' Meanwhile, portable toilets have been put out on the course to accommodate those suffering from the bug.

As one pro said yesterday: "It's very difficult to play golf when you're squeezing your cheeks on every shot.'' Former Castle Harbour golf director, Tom Smack, now the professional at Sagamore GC in upstate New York will defend his pro title today while Rolling Road GC go into tomorrow's final round of the Pro-Am with a three shot net lead.

Dwayne Pearman shot a 71 in the third and final round of the CB Open at Belmont yesterday to take the tournament's $600 first prize. Pearman, who set an Island wide tournament play record with his 63 in Monday's first round, finished 14 shots ahead of second-placed Keith Smith, who shot a level par 70 yesterday -- the day's best round.

JJ Madeiros, the winner of last year's inaugural tournament for the Island's pros and top amateurs, finished third on 219 after hitting a 77 in the driving rain.

FRITZ REITER -- He and other golfers at Castle Harbour can't drink the water.