A decision on whether or not the British and Irish golf team will travel to contest the women's world amateur team championships in Santiago, Chile, next month has been deferred until the end of next week. Captained by former Irish international Claire Dowling, the team - which includes Rebecca Hudson and Kim Andrew of England and Welsh player Becky Morgan - is due to fly out next Friday for the event which takes place on November 12th-15th.

However, the English Golf Union is worried about the team's safety and is considering withdrawing the team due to reaction against British nationals because of the arrest in London of Chile's former dictator General Augusto Pinochet. A British Foreign Office spokesman described the situation in Chile as "volatile".

The R & A are also watching matters because the British and Irish men's team - which includes Warrenpoint's European champion Paddy Gribben - is due to play in Santiago the following week in the Eisenhower Trophy, the men's world team championships.