BERMUDA Golf Association's tournament schedule for 2003 will follow almost an identical path to that taken last year.

The nine major events on the calendar remain the same, taking place at the same time of the same month as they did in 2002.

But, as might have been expected, those wanting to compete will, in most tournaments, have to dig deeper into their pockets.

The BGA, where Mike Branco has now taken over the secretarial reins from long-serving Tom Smith, have seen fit to up the entry fees in five of their competitions.

While the first big event on the schedule, the Men's Amateur Match Play Championship at Mid Ocean Club - now in its 73rd year - and the Women's Championship (celebrating its 71st year) won't see any fee increases, players in the men's and women's Stroke Play at Port Royal in June will have to fork out $25 more than they did last year.

The men's entry goes up to $300 and the women's to $225.

A minimal $10 increase - from $240 to $250 - has been imposed for September's Mixed Foursomes Championship but there's a substantial $50 hike for those wanting to compete in both the men's and women's Four Ball Stroke Play Championship in November - the men's fee increasing to $550 per pair and the women's to $450 per pair.

Other than that, it's virtually business as usual for the BGA.

The full 2003 schedule is as follows:

MARCH 3-8

74th Men's Amateur Match Play Championship at Mid Ocean Club. Handicap limit: 12. Entry fee: $275. Closing entry date: February 17.

72nd Women's Amateur Match Play Championship at Mid Ocean Club. Handicap limit: 24. Entry fee: $225. Closing entry date: February 17.

MAY 20-22

Bermuda Senior Amateur Championships at Riddell's Bay. Men, 54 holes; Ladies, 36 holes. Minimum ages: Men, 55; Ladies, 50. Handicap limits: Men, 24; Ladies, 32. Entry fees: Men $175; Ladies $125. Closing entry date: May 6.

JUNE 13-16

Men's Amateur Stroke Play Championships at Port Royal (72 holes). Handicap limit: 18. Entry fee: $300. Closing entry date: May 30.

JUNE 14-16

Women's Amateur Stroke Play Championships at Port Royal (54 holes). Handicap limit: 24. Entry fee $250. Closing entry date: May 30.

SEPTEMBER 13-14

Mixed Foursomes Championship at Port Royal (36 holes strokeplay - 18 holes partners' better-ball followed by 18 holes Pinehurst). Handicap limits: Men, 24; Ladies, 36. Entry fee: $250 per team. Closing entry date: August 30.

OCTOBER 16-19

Bermuda Open for men at Port Royal (for professionals and amateurs with a USGA handicap index limit of 5.4 or handicap index of 6 if home country does not comply to USGA standards). Entry fee: Professionals $300; Amateurs, $225. Closing entry date: October 2.

NOVEMBER 6-9

Men's Four Ball Stroke Play Amateur Championships at Port Royal (72-hole better-ball). Handicap limit: 18. Entry fee: $550 per team of two. Closing entry date: October 23.

NOVEMBER 7-9

Women's Four Ball Stroke Play Amateur Championship at Port Royal (54-hole better-ball). Handicap limit: 24. Entry fee: $450 per team of two. Closing entry date: October 23.

l Other popular tournaments on the calendar, not organised by the BGA, include the Belmont Invitational from December 1-6 and the Goodwill Tournament from December 8-12.

On the junior front, the following four major events are scheduled over the next 12 months:

April 1-3 - The Glidden Bowl at Riddell's Bay (54 holes strokeplay).

July 8-12 - Bermuda National Junior Match Play Championships at Riddell's Bay.

July 21-25 - Atlantic International Championships at Port Royal and Riddell's Bay.

January 1-2 (2004) - The Fecchio Cup at Riddell's Bay (36 holes strokeplay).