An American female golf pro is set to create history in Bermuda by becoming the first woman to play in the annual Goodwill Tournament.

Kiersten Albright of the Quechee Club in Vermont was given the okay to compete for the club's team after the head pro could not make the trip here. However, her inclusion in the previously all-male competition caused some debate before the decision was made.

"This will definitely be a first for the event and I think it's going to be welcomed. I think a lot of the male professionals who have played in the New England area are used to playing with a female professional now," said chairman of the Goodwill organising committee Alex Madeiros.

"I see no problem in allowing a female professional to participate. I see no reason why, if a club has a female filling in for their head pro, it would be a problem. Females are breaking ground every day. I think it's going to be exciting and she's looking forward to coming."

However, he noted, that as the tournament is traditionally all-male: "I wouldn't extend that favour to the amateur ranks".

Madeiros stressed that while the stipulation has always been that a team be comprised of "a golf pro and three male amateurs", there was never any rule that the golf pro must be a man.

However, a Bermudian member of Quechee Club, who is making arrangements for the club's team to participate in the December 9-13 tournament, said another member of the organising committee had stressed no women could play at all.

"He said to me 'It's a men's tournament," recalled Suthy Madeiros (no relation to Alex).

"When I pointed out that the invitation said 'cordially invites the golf professional and three amateur members', he remained adamant and said 'Women haven't played in it for 50 years'."

Suthy Madeiros then consulted with his namesake - who had been overseas - yesterday, telling him that Albright wanted to know which tees she would be playing from and the matter was resolved.

"Women do not play from the same tees as male players and that was her question. So he (Alex) said they would set up the course so she plays from shorter tees," said Suthy Madeiros.