AFTER much juggling Bermuda Golf Association have finally settled on a team to represent the island at this year's World Amateur Team Championships to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Teenager Jarryd Dillas, perhaps the most promising player to emerge since Michael Sims, deservedly gets his chance to compete at senior international level, and he'll be joined by Nick Mansell and Tim Carr in what is a relatively young team.

For the first time the biennial championships, to be held in October, have restricted teams to just three players having previously entertained squads of four.

While Dillas' and Carr's place for the trip to Asia were always secure, the same can't be said for Mansell who can thank for his opportunity a couple of his compatriots as well as a selection process which allows only one non-Bermudian on the team.

Robert Vallis, Blake Marshall and Gary Carr were also in the mix but for various reasons either opted out or failed to meet the criteria.

Selection, as decided by the BGA a few years ago, was based on the top finishers in June's Amateur Strokeplay Championships at Port Royal with only those in the top dozen on the BGA Order of Merit at that time eligible for what, in effect, constituted a 72-hole 'play-off'.

Mansell, at that point, was way ahead on the OM with 157? points followed by Dillas (129), Michael Sims (95), Marshall (87?), Winston Trott (67?), Vallis (65), Gary Carr (52), Michael Tavares (40), Tim Carr (40), Eldon Raynor (40), Joey McRonald (35), Douglas Morris (27) and Zane DeSilva (25). Sims, having turned professional in January, had ruled himself ineligible.

But those points counted for nought when the team was eventually picked, placings in the Strokeplay being the only determining factor.

Victory by Vallis in the Port Royal championship ensured his spot, but he reportedly told the BGA he didn't wish to travel to Malaysia and would prefer that a younger player be given the chance. Dillas, who finished fifth five shots behind Vallis, automatically earned his ticket as did Tim Carr, who placed seventh.

But then confusion arose over who should complete the trio.

Next in line, Blake Marshall, who placed eighth, informed selectors he had other commitments in October, which then put Gary Carr in the frame. But with namesake Tim already in the line-up, under the selection rules there was no room for another expatriate.

So, finally, it was left for Mansell to fill the void despite the fact that he'd finished 22 strokes behind Vallis in the Strokeplay.

However, having led the Order of Merit going into the championships, few would argue that his place wasn't deserved.

The threesome now have just a couple of months to prepare for a tournament which over the last decade has attracted nearly all of the world's top amateurs from more than 40 countries. And no-one will likely be better prepared than Saltus student Dillas who has spent much of this summer playing overseas, having finished a highly creditable eighth in the 15-17 age division of the recent Callaway Junior World Championships in San Diego.

On top of that, his performance in the Strokeplay Championship leapfrogged him above Mansell to first place in the Order of Merit which is now complete for 2002, and the youngster has also been declared overall winner of the BGA's annual medal play competitions.

Travelling as non-playing manager to Kuala Lumpur will be BGA vice-president Michael (Tracy) Tavares.

The team worlds will be played on two courses at the Saujana Golf and Country Club just outside the Malaysian capital from October 24 to 27. Practice rounds have been set aside from October 20 to 23.