golf title on the line this week against both a strong local and overseas field.

The 72-hole men's championship -- the last event on Bermuda Golf Association's 2000 calendar -- gets under way at Port Royal this morning and finishes on Sunday.

Ladies will compete in a separate 54-hole four ball event, starting tomorrow.

Carr, a former Bermuda Match Play champion, and partner McRonald, won a close contest last year when they defeated the team of Mark Dupuy and Gary Carr on the first play-off hole after the two pairs had finished 72 holes tied on 285.

Gary Carr returns with a new partner this week, Paul Harkness, following Dupuy's move to Canada early in the summer.

However, there are several other teams in the field who are likely to challenge.

Among the local contenders will be former winners Bill Pitt and Henry Ascento, Max Atherden and Ian Page, Brendan Ingham and Noel Van Putten and Deon Mills and Dave Purcell.

There are also six overseas teams and several visitors who are pairing up with locals. In total, 32 men's pairs are entered.

The tournament began back in 1953 with visitors Norman Swenson and John Fitch holding the 72-hole record of 271.

This year's women's championship will see new winners as Elizabeth White, who teamed up with fellow American Dorothy Spiro to win the 1999 event with a 255 total, is not returning.

Spiro, however, will be in the field, paired with Joan McPherson. Twenty two teams have entered, 13 from overseas and nine local.

Among those expected to challenge are Bermuda's Sue Holland and Pat Morgan.

Joan Connors and Judithanne Outerbridge set the tournament record of 210 in 1992.

Tim Carr: title holder.