off at Mid Ocean Club this morning with one of the smallest fields in its 70-year history.

But yesterday a number of local players were frustrated after being left out despite registering last week.

Because of the need to accept entries only in blocks of eight to accommodate the match play format, Bermuda Golf Association decided to allow a place in the tournament to just the first 32 who registered.

That means that no matter what those players score in today's medal round, each will automatically advance to the championship flight -- the only flight.

However, the last six to enter -- taking the total entry up to 38 -- were told over the weekend they were being omitted from the tournament. Had another two players entered the BGA would have been able to form both a championship and first flight from the medal round.

As it turned out, one of those six, Dave Purcell, did gain admission yesterday as first alternate after one player in the original 32 was forced to cry off.

In previous years, the championship has attracted almost 100 players, several from overseas, and has been divided into as many as three flights.

One of the players left out this year told The Royal Gazette yesterday he was "deeply disappointed'' by the BGA's decision.

"I can't understand it. This is supposed to be the biggest amateur tournament of the year. It's the one we all look forward to, and now some of us are being told we can't play,'' said the player, who asked not to be named.

"It's a big disappointment. It would be nice if everybody who entered was allowed to play in the medal round, and then work out the flights later.

"Maybe with the small entry there should have been a championship flight of just 16 and then a first flight in which a number of players could have been given first round byes.'' However, BGA secretary Tom Smith pointed out that without a field of at least 40 "there would be far too many byes.'' And he noted that those players who had been left out of the tournament had, in any case, submitted their entries after the original deadline.

Of the reduced field, which includes just 17 players from overseas, Smith said he believed the high price of flying to Bermuda continued to deter would-be competitors.

"I think the fact that golfers have to pay air fares of between $500 and $600 to get here might have something to do with it,'' he added. "And then they often have to contend with our cold and blustery March winds. A lot of golfers are probably looking elsewhere.'' Smith also noted that a group of Bermuda golfers had recently left for the Azores which had further reduced the entry.

Returning to defend his crown will be American Cy Kilgore who beat local resident Mark Dupuy in last year's 36-hole final.

Scotsman Dupuy, who also reached the final in 1997 only to lose to policeman Tim Carr, will again be in the field as will Carr.

Those two appear to be Bermuda's best hopes with former winner Robert Vallis having been forced to withdraw because of work commitments.

Among the overseas players are Australian Roy Vandersluis, a runner-up in 1983 and 1984, scratch player George Walker from Alabama, and regular visitor Gunnar Bennett, who plays off one.

The women's tournament, which also starts today, has just 16 players but will be missing Toronto's Judy Dotten who, at two, was the lowest handicapper in the field until she withdrew over the weekend.

Local youngster Jennifer Spurling and veteran Sandy Hutchings, both eight handicappers, are now the pick of the field.

Cy Kilgore: The American will defend his Bermuda Amateur Match Play title.