Golf News (posted 6th November 1998)

Britain-Ireland women's team cancels Chile trip

St Andrews, Scotland - A combined British-Irish women's golf team today pulled out of next week's World Amateur Golf Team Championship in Chile because of concerns for player safety.

The move came as Britain's highest court was to resume hearings Monday to decide on the legality of the arrest in London of former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet.

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

Jill Edwards, the chairman of the Ladies' Golf Union, said she had followed the advice of Britain's Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the union's legal advisers.

"We are extremely disappointed that we have had to take this course of action," she said. "But given the recent developments both in Chile and in our own courts we have decided to withdraw the GB and I team from the championship."

The combined Britain and Ireland team members were Rebecca Hudson, Becky Morgan, Kim Andrew and captain Claire Dowling.

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