the Bermudians competing in the World Men's Amateur Team Championships here.

The other crucial factor, team members agree, will be course management. After practice rounds at both Marine Drive and Capilano, non-playing captain Brendan Ingham said it is clear that both courses require a golfer to think his way around the layout.

"I'm trying to get them to manage the ball on the golf course, instead of just hitting away,'' said Ingham, who has represented Bermuda in eight World Amateurs.

"We've got to think about how far it is from the tee to obstacles, and we've got to make sure we position ourselves away from those obstacles off the tee.

On courses like this you've got to manage your game well, work the ball around the golf course.'' That is particularly true off the tee at Marine Drive, which was cut out of farmland just south of Vancouver proper some 70 years ago. It is now a mature course, with towering Douglas firs lining both sides of most fairways.

"I liked the track,'' was the verdict of Glen Simmons, the Bermuda Amateur Stroke Play runner-up this year, and a first-time visitor to the world stage.

"You've got to keep your drives in play, and tailor your game to the golf course. I'm really looking forward to playing the course -- I came here for a challenge.'' Arthur Jones, who joins Simmons as a rookie on the Bermuda squad, agreed.

"The trees are big and thick and you've got to stay out of them,'' he said.

"If you do go in you have to play out sideways.'' Jones agreed with his captain's course management philosophy. "There are a couple of par-fives at Marine Drive that you just can't reach in two,'' he said.

"So you've simply got to be in position for your approach to the green.

You've got to hit two-iron, two-iron because position is far more important than letting the ball fly off the tee.'' Capilano is another stern test. Named one of the 10 best courses in the country this summer by the Canadian golf magazine Score , Capilano is perched on the side of Grouse Mountain. More than one golfer this week will be distracted by the spectacular views of the city the course affords.

And more than one will also fall prey to some of the toughest finishing holes in Canada. After a relatively easy par-three 14th hole, the competitors will be treated this week to a 430-yard dogleg left par four, a 225-yard par three, a distracting mountain view drive on the 17th -- and then the monster 18th, which measures 556 yards.

"The 18th is a monster and almost impossible to reach in two,'' said Capilano assistant pro Greg Beaudin. "Maybe one or two people might reach it in two in the whole tournament. A five is a great par, but three well-placed shots can give you a chance at birdie.'' Jack Wahl, who will represent Bermuda at a World Amateur for the third time this week, was impressed with the Capilano layout.

"It's a beautiful course, really fun to play and some kind of track,'' he said. "The seventh hole (433 yards, par four) and the four finishing holes are man-eaters. On the other hand, the rough isn't as bad as we were led to believe. It's tough in four or five spots, but there's enough room to play around it. It won't be a big problem unless you mishit a shot.'' Bermuda's representatives also have a healthy respect for the greens at Capilano. "What we found out in the practice round is that there are four or five greens that are almost impossible not to three-putt if you're in the wrong spot,'' Wahl said.

"The greens are severely sloped and fast -- you can't putt in easy enough to keep it near the hole.'' Added Ingham: "You've got to be below the hole at Capilano because it's built on a hillside. If you're above the hole, it'll be like putting on the 12th green at Port Royal with a hurricane behind you.'' The tournament begins tomorrow.

Versailles, France, has been awarded the 1994 tournament, over a bid from the Ivory Coast, the World Amateur Golf Council announced yesterday.

JACK WAHL.