Dowling's team not going to Chile

The British and Irish team, which was to be captained by former Irish international Claire Dowling, has been withdrawn from the Espirto Santo Trophy for the women's world amateur team golf championship due to the "volatile political situation" in Chile.

Although scheduled to fly out yesterday, the (British) Ladies' Golf Union, who control the team, decided that concerns for the players' safety outweighed participating in the event which is considered the high point of any female amateur's career. "Obviously we're extremely disappointed that this decision was made but, given recent developments, we couldn't take any risks," said Jill Edwards of the LGU.

The championship takes place in Santiago next week and the three-woman team comprised English duo Rebecca Hudson and Kim Andrew along with Welsh player Becky Morgan. Dowling, a former Espirto Santo and Curtis Cup player, was due to captain the team for the first time.

The British Foreign Office advised the golfing union not to send a team because of the situation in the South American country caused by the arrest and detention in London of General Pinochet.

Meanwhile, the men's world amateur team championship is also planned for Santiago in two weeks' time - and the R & A, who administer that British and Irish team, are watching developments closely. Paddy Gribben of Warrenpoint, who is the European amateur team champion, is the only Irish member of that four-man team.