Given the fickle nature of Bermudians, it was hardly surprising that so few spectators turned out for this week's Gillette Challenge golf event at Mid Ocean Club.

On an Island as spoiled as ours, the old "been there, done that'' syndrome never takes long to kick in.

Those who flocked to the $1.95 million tournament over the past two years have seemingly had their fill of golf's big names popping down for a day or two, barely breaking sweat and departing with a sack of cash.

That might sound overly cynical but the simple fact is, that despite the presence of some of the game's brightest stars, the competition itself lacks excitement.

A familiar refrain from local golf followers this week has been: `The Merrill Lynch Shoot-out (Gillette's predecessor) was much more entertaining -- at least the players had to earn their prize-money.' Under the current format -- 18-hole, best-ball with a PGA Tour, Senior Tour and LPGA Tour pro in each of the eight teams -- the opportunity is there for any of the players to hide.

If they don't contribute, hopefully their partners will. And regardless, last place finishers are still guaranteed a cheque for fifty grand.

Tom Watson and Nick Price were both at pains to point out that because every player in the field was a professional, it was their duty to treat this event as they would any other.

But one wonders whether that's always the case.

And who can blame the players. An all-expenses trip to Bermuda at the end of a long season, an easy-pay day and a tournament format that allows those in trouble to be bailed out by their partners, hardly ignites the competitive flame.

That said, Gillette deserve credit for repeatedly bringing the event to Bermuda (they could take it to any golf course in the world and be greeted with open arms); Mid Ocean should be praised for the immaculate condition of the course; and ABC-TV -- despite some of their belligerent cameramen who wouldn't have been out of place in last week's Ryder Cup crowd -- give the Island a huge tourism plug with their two-hour November telecast.

Even Mother Nature always cooperates. For the third year in succession the tournament was played under bright blue skies. Imagine the chaos had Wednesday's weather this week arrived a day earlier.

A decision on whether the tournament will come to Bermuda again next year is expected soon. The initial three-year contract expired on Tuesday.

But hopefully it will, and hopefully Gillette will seriously consider how it can be made more appealing for the on-course spectators and the TV viewers, and more competitive for the players.

At the very least, organisers can think of a more inventive way to break a tie, of which the possibility is always high, given the current format.

The last two tournaments have seen a play-off decided by a single shot to the par-three 17th -- closest to the pin takes all.

It's done that way for expediency -- several of the players are in such a hurry to board a plane which will take them to their next money-making venture.

But when there's a $495,000 first prize on the line, it seems a rather simplistic way to settle the day's proceedings.

Wouldn't it be better if all of those in the play-off took part in sudden-death hole-by-hole, eliminating those with the highest scores until only one remained? It would add excitement to an event which sadly, at present, is lacking that very ingredient.

-- ADRIAN ROBSON