renaissance of sorts at the University of Rhode Island.

The top local amateur recently led the Rams to their best finish ever at the Adams Cup of Newport, the senior securing second place in the individual portion of the event, while the school duplicated that position on the team side.

Coach Tom Drennan was quick to sing the praises of his senior, being reported in the Providence Journal as saying: "Michael Sims is easily one of the best players in the nation, and it's important that he realises that as we still have two national tournaments on our schedule.'' Indeed Sims appears to be relishing his role as team leader, having been named co-captain along with Justin Thompson.

Sims shot a one-under-par 69 for the first round and followed with a pair of 72s for a three-round total of 213, which fell just a single stroke shy of North Carolina-Charlotte's Jeff Curl, who recorded 212.

Overall URI shot 875 over the three day event held at the par-70 Point Judith Country Club, with only Virginia Tech (868) faring better.

The result followed on the heels of an outright victory at the Dartmouth Invitational where Sims again ended in second place on the individual charts, registering a two round score of 136 (68-68).

URI posted a winning total of 563 (286-277) to top the leaderboard over the likes of Army (570), Hartford (572) and host Dartmouth (577).

SABIR AT FIFA SEMINAR SOC Sabir at FIFA seminar BFA general secretary David Sabir will be aiming to sharpen up his administrational skills at the FIFA/International Centre for Sports Studies Seminar in Switzerland, starting tomorrow.

The course, held in the cities of Neuchatel and Zurich, will cover topics such as law, management marketing, controlling and budgeting, finance and human resources.

On his return from the two-week course, Sabir said he would like to see the association organise a workshop for club administrators to share what he has learned.

RACE MEET UNDER LIGHTS RAH Race meet under lights The first equestrian event to be staged under the newly installed floodlights at the National Equestrian Centre on Vesey Street will take place tomorrow with the start of the new harness racing season.

The 26 heats, featuring 41 ponies -- the biggest field since harness racing was reintroduced to Bermuda in 1989 -- will start at 6.30 p.m.

Ten new ponies, two of them locally bred, will be racing for the first time on the Island.

Admission is $7 for adults, $4 for seniors and children, who must be accompanied by an adult, will be admitted free.