FOR years Steve Burgess has suffered quietly.

A man considered by many as a diligent and effective athletic coach has kept his opinion to himself while the sport has tottered through a series of crises.

Finally, this week he cracked. Enough was enough.

Burgess, whose passion for track and field burns as intensely now as it did more than 20 years ago when he competed alongside, and humbled, some of the most prominent collegiate athletes in the US, spoke out because, in his words, the sport in Bermuda has reached a turning point.

The latest stand-off between Bermuda Track and Field Association and the Mid-Island Striders, comprehensively documented in these columns over the past two weeks was, so to speak, the last straw.

Yet, as one might expect from someone who prefers to remain in the background, his wasn't an emotional outburst.

It was a measured response to a situation which he believes is denying many of our aspiring youngsters the opportunity to further both their education and their athletic careers overseas.

He wasn't pointing fingers. There were no harsh words for either BTFA president Judy Simmons or national coach Gerry Swan, both of whom he believes are dedicated and hard-working individuals. Nor for BTFA director Annette Hallett who assumed the role of association spokesman this week in defence of the governing body's handling of the Striders' affair.

But, like so many others, Burgess realises that whatever is being done to promote, enhance and further the cause of local athletics, and no matter how honourable the intentions of those involved, it just isn't working.

It's time, he believes, that all parties, the Ministry of Sport included, come together in an effort to resolve the differences.

At the very least, he said, there should be a forum with an independent mediator at which all of those involved could discuss their grievances. Taking it a step further, he even suggested a public inquiry.

Burgess isn't calling for heads to roll, but for those in authority to use their heads more effectively.

His most serious allegation is that athletes he has coached over a number of years have been denied a place in the national programme simply because he has been their coach. It's an accusation we've heard from others before. And if it's true, it's an outrageous state of affairs.

As Burgess intimated, the repercussions might be that some of Bermuda's kids are missing out on lucrative scholarships overseas and as such further education that they can't afford and can't get here on the Island.

That clearly isn't acceptable.

An inquiry into the governing body's administration was suggested some time ago in this very column. Naturally, nothing came of it.

But given Burgess' standing in the community, his depth of knowledge and his reputation as one this country's most reputable coaches, perhaps the Ministry of Sport, who disperse public funds to the BTFA each year and ultimately have the authority to examine their workings, will sit up and take notice.

Randy Horton, it's your move.

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GOLFER MichaeI Sims again demonstrated this week his prodigious talent, leading the entire field in a Buy.Com Tour qualifier with a stunning round of 63.

Disappointingly, he couldn't build on that success as he slumped to a three-over par 74 in yesterday's first round proper of the BMW Charity Pro-Am in South Carolina.

The 23-year-old now has it all to do as he attempts to make the half-way cut in today's second round.

But no matter what, the regularity with which this young Bermudian turns in scores in the low 60s in top events on tough courses is evidence enough that it's only a matter of time before he breaks through.s