If there's one person who won't be perturbed by any extra attention Kiersten Allbright gets playing in the Goodwill Tournament it will be the woman on the greens herself.

Though the American golf pro is set to create Bermudian history by being the first female in this event, it will be more like dj vu for her.

"Obviously, there will be more eyes looking at me than there will be at a gentleman playing next to me but I am used to that; being looked at a little differently. I have been there before.

"I am the only female professional in Vermont who competes in the Vermont Chapter (of the PGA) events but I have been doing it for a couple years so I don't see that (being the centre of attention) as much anymore."

The 26-year-old - a teaching pro at Quechee Club in Vermont - will be among a foursome representing that club in the December 9-13 tournament. The opportunity for her participation arose when head pro Steve Rogers indicated his unavailability and club members asked Allbright to replace him.

Tournament regulations stipulate a team must be comprised of a golf pro and three male amateurs, leaving the way clear for a female pro to play though none has before now.

"I didn't know if it was open to female professionals. The brochure didn't say but I thought it might be a problem. I was going to call and check this week but I was surprised there had already been discussions about it.

"I'm happy it's all been sorted out and I'm very excited about coming to playing in the tournament. It looks like a wonderful event," said Allbright from Vermont yesterday.

As for the increasing participation of women golfers in previously men-only competitions, she acknowledged "it tends to be controversial at times" but most people are receptive to it.

"Females are beginning to play in a lot of the PGA events. It's starting to happen all over the country a lot more.

"I have never run into any problems. Everyone has always been very welcoming and open to my participation."

The Meriden, New Hampshire, native was well prepared for entry into the male-dominated sport since high school when she played on a men's team as a 16-year-old. It was the same in college; first at Hamilton College in upstate New York and later when she transferred to the University of Colorado. Since graduating, she has been employed at Quechee Club for the past four years.

"The biggest problem that has come up is where should they set the tees for women professionals in such events? That's an issue across the country and within the PGA that they are continuing to discuss," she noted, regarding golf's gender debate.

Asked if shorter tees are an advantage to women, Allbright replied: "For female professionals, they try and set tees between 80 and 90 percent of what the men play. I don't feel it gives me an unfair advantage in the sense that the majority of men hit the ball further than women.

"Look at the PGA Tour - there is about an 80 to 90 percent difference in distance. Everyone still has to play the course and get the ball in the hole. It's still golf."

That's just what she intends to show come December.