WHEN Bermuda's golfers take their place in next week's Nations Cup in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - the official qualifying event for the World Cup - a similar scenario will likely unfold to that which we've become accustomed.

Dwayne Pearman and Andrew Trott, the pair selected by Bermuda Professional Golfers Association, will give it their all and as has been the case for almost the past 20 years, their all won't be good enough.

They'll return better for the experience but no closer to flying Bermuda's flag in a World Cup final.

A pessimistic assessment? No doubt.

But given the calibre of opposition, realistically their chances of success are virtually nil.

Yet it could and should be so much different.

Had the BPGA teamed Pearman, the Island's undisputed top professional, with Michael Sims, the most promising amateur to emerge from these shores in recent memory, there's every chance Bermuda's name would have featured somewhere close to the top of the leaderboard.

That in no way reflects on Trott.

He was selected on merit, apparently for results achieved during BPGA events over the last year and, in different circumstances, would have thoroughly deserved his spot on the team.

But even as a club professional, he might be the first to admit that his game, certainly in the cut-throat, high pressure cauldron of tournament golf, doesn't match up to that of Sims.

The Rhode Island University student has been a revelation this summer, winning two major tournaments in the US and then spectacularly making his way into the last eight of the US Amateur before losing by a single hole to the eventual champion. This week, he's again been in the headlines following an amazing victory at the New England Open (see story above).

Together with Pearman, far and away Bermuda's most successful pro and the only one to consistently compete overseas, Sims would have helped make a formidable team.

Diplomatically, the 22-year-old has said he was disappointed not to be picked for the trip to Malaysia but understanding of the BPGA's position. Sportingly, he has thrown his support behind Trott, a close friend.

Yet that doesn't change anything. The fact remains that Bermuda will not send their strongest team.

BPGA officials will argue that the World Cup is for professionals only, and as an amateur Sims was not eligible.

That, however, simply doesn't wash.

Sims' father, Bruce, had made it known that had his son been approached with a view to playing on the team he would have considered turning pro there and then.

And even if he hadn't, Bermuda had a very strong case to persuade Nations Cup organisers to make an exception to the rule. After all, they want the event to represent the highest standard of golf from as many competing countries as possible _ and in recent years that's exactly what they've got with the US represented by a team comprising no less than Tiger Woods and David Duval!

Perhaps what is more disturbing is that the BPGA reportedly didn't even take the trouble to approach Sims.

They made their decision - and maybe somewhat embarrassed by it - kept mighty quiet, failing to make any official announcement.

That's their prerogative.

But in the eyes of many, including Kim Swan who with Keith Smith formed the last Bermuda team to advance to the World Cup, they've squandered an opportunity to showcase the very best of Bermuda talent on the world stage, and perhaps denied both Pearman and Sims a real chance to take local golf to another level.

- ADRIAN ROBSON