fondness of wine and golf, are playing an important role in the lighter side of the Bermuda Insurance Symposium -- and ordinary residents can take part in both. A wine-tasting of some of the world's finest Chardonnays, conducted by Bermuda-based wine connoisseur Mr. Robin Blackburne is being staged between 5.45 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 27. And the following day, a $20,000 hole-in-one prize is on offer to anyone who aces the difficult long par-three 18th hole at Marriott's Castle Harbour golf course during the BIS golf tournament.

A host of other prizes are also available at the golf event, which is being held to raise money for the non-profit international Angus Robinson, Jr.

Memorial Foundation. The Foundation, which is based in Connecticut, provides assistance to individuals seeking education in fundamental insurance and reinsurance disciplines.

Angus Robinson, Jr. was one of the alternative risk transfer market's early innovators and leaders, helping to develop such ART concepts as captive dedicated reinsurance, rent-a-captives and reinsurance futures. In 1978, he was a founder of Trenwick Re in Bermuda.

Mr. Robinson died on Easter Sunday in 1990 after a battle with cancer and, after his death, a group of friends and colleagues formed the Foundation in his honour.

Foundation trustee Mr. Brian O'Hara, who is president and CEO of Bermuda-based XL Insurance, said that $250,000 has been raised since Mr. Robinson's death to help "deserving, high-achieving students who are earnest about a career in insurance and reinsurance''.

He added: "We hope to find some Bermudian students along the way to take part in the programme.'' Local and international businesses are being invited to sponsor the golf tournament by paying to have the names of their businesses on golf carts or signs near each tee.

"The event is a good way for local businesses to get their name known to the frequent business travellers to Bermuda who tend to be those who spend the most money when they are in restaurants and hotels,'' said Mr. O'Hara.

If some delegates' games are slightly awry, it might be partly due to Mr.

Blackburne's wine-tasting the night before, which precedes the BIS gala dinner and dance.

Mr. Blackburne said he expects to have some 20 places available for Bermuda residents who are not delegates to the symposium.

He will guide white wine-lovers through half a dozen Chardonnays from various countries, discussing the history and heritage of each one and showing guests how to fully appreciate them.

"I will also be conducting an amusing experiment to demonstrate the importance of the nose in appreciating wine,'' said Mr. Blackburne. "This one always goes down well with audiences. Without giving too much away, it involves closing the nose for a short period while drinking.'' He added: "The nose is very important. In the wine trade, we tend to get 60/70 percent of our information from the bouquet and merely get confirmation from the palate.'' Anyone in Bermuda who is interested in taking part in either the golf tournament or the wine tasting, or both, should contact Mrs. Suzie McKeegan on 292 6386.

Mr. Angus Robinson.