week's Bermuda Open at Port Royal -- his first major tournament since the BPGA Stroke Play Championship in January 1992.

The decision was a unanimous one by the rules committee of the Bermuda Golf Association and the former Bermuda amateur champion was notified of his return to amateur status in a letter from the BGA dated August 1 and taking effect from that date.

Mayne had expected to be absent from tournament golf for about two years while he waited to be returned as an amateur.

"According to the letter there was a waiting period of 15 months,'' Mayne, 34, explained yesterday. "As far as I understand the rules of amateur status have changed and applications put through now do not have to abide by the same rules. Every application is taken on its own merits.'' Eddie Marshall, chairman of the rules committee, confirmed that the rules regarding amateur status have changed in the last couple of years and that Mayne's brief time as a pro was taken into effect.

"He missed the camaraderie of the amateur golf scene and just wanted to get back into the amateur field,'' said Marshall. "We looked at everything and decided this would be best for golf and Scott down the road.'' Mayne was back on the course for his first tournament on the weekend when he shot a 73 to share top spot with Noel Van Putten in a BGA Medal Play competition. And while he does not expect to do well in the Bermuda Open, it is the Belmont Invitational -- unquestionably his favourite -- that he is gearing up for.

"I'm already in Belmont, I'll enter that before any other tournament,'' Mayne said. "That, I intend to do well in.'' Mayne will line up in a Bermuda Open field of 111, which includes 44 visiting and eight local professionals and 59 amateurs (32 local and 27 overseas). "I guess I'll use it as a gauge,'' Mayne said of the Open.

The amateur division should be very competitive indeed with Mayne lining up alongside other top locals Robert Vallis and Hav Trott, like Mayne a former Belmont champion, and a number of low handicappers from overseas.

"I haven't played very seriously in 18 months so anything can happen,'' Mayne said.

As for his appetite for the game after the long absence, Mayne said he will know more about that after this week's tournament.

"I'll know after the Bermuda Open, after I get a little bit of fire,'' said the former professional.

"I only played about four rounds of golf last year and about two or three this year before I heard the news.'' Mayne was a professional only for just over a year, playing three tournaments, the 1991 Bermuda Open, Belmont Invitational and BPGA Stroke Play.

He admitted he went in for the money but because of other obligations, namely family and work, Mayne decided he could not dedicate the time.

Adam Diel finished a stroke behind Van Putten and Mayne on Saturday with a 74.

Judithanne Astwood, meanwhile, shot a fine 76 to win the women's event convincingly by 15 strokes over Glenda Todd.