Golf News (posted 30th October 1998)

Foreign Office advice may keep British teams out of Chile for World Amateur Team Championships

St Andrews, Scotland - A combined British-Irish team may be forced to pull out of the women's World Amateur Golf Team Championship in Chile in two weeks because of concerns for player safety.

Julie Hall, secretary of the Ladies' Golf Union, said Friday she would follow the direction of Britain's Foreign Office, which is advising against nonessential travel to Chile in the wake of the arrest in London of former Chilean dictator General Augusto Pinochet.

The women's tournament involving three dozen teams is set for 12th - 15th November in Santiago, the Chilean capital.

"We do not have to make a decision until the end of next week, but if there is danger the right thing is to pull out," Hall said.

The combined Britain and Ireland team members are Rebecca Hudson, Becky Morgan, and Kim Andrew.

The men's event is set for 19th - 22nd November in Santiago, giving the Royal and Ancient Club an extra week to decide. Men's team members are Gary Wolstenholme, Luke Donald, Lorne Kelly and Paddy Gribben.