On the eve of the IIIrd Blue Diamond Amateur Open, the Poona Club Golf course poses a mountain to cope -- taking into consideration the recent modification carried out on the course in terms of yardage. Though the yardage has been increased by 227 (the total standing at 6638), the common view sized the course up as tough. As Simerjeet Singh, on his third visit for the tourney, puts it: ``The par-3s are playing long and needs a change in approach compared to last year.'' Surprisingly Pune's Jaideep Patwardhan, a regular at the course, was of the same opinion as well, saying: ``The tees would play a big factor and compared to last year, pose a slight difficulty.''

However, with the recent spell of rains, the course as in the past, has received kudos from all quarters. ``True, soft greens, a green fairway and a scenic well-maintained outlook'' remain comments voiced by a majority of participants.

Another aspect given thought was the `depleted field' evaluated on the basis that the country's best seen in action last year -- including Harmeet Kahlon, Digvijay Singh, Amit Dubey, Zai Kipgen and Tarun Sardesai -- have turned professional. As Simarjeet, who has been three years on the amateur circuit explains, ``We have been playing minus them for the entire season. And as far as the field here is concerned we have all the winners of the previous tourneys held in the 1998-99 season, here.''

The list includes, Shiv Kumar (Delhi) winner of the KGA Open at Bangalore, Indian No 1 and Amish Jaitha, who has won two of the four titles decided so far -- the AV Thomas Cup, in Chennai and Northern India Open at Delhi and Jasjeet Singh, who bagged his maiden senior amateur title in Chandigarh prior to coming to Pune. Simarjeet goes on, ``The beauty of amateur golf lies in making it to the Indian squad. Wearing the country's blazer in the marchpast is something that one has to achieve to believe.''

Getting back to the tournament proper, Amish, who is gunning for his third title on the eight-tournament Indian Golf Union (IGU) tour, talks of keeping focused and giving it your best shot. With a twinkle in his eye Amish predicts a surprise in the day's to come. Among others who are winning material in a sport full of ups and downs are the talented juniors in Ashok Kumar and Shiv Kapoor both in their first year of senior amateur golf.

Ashok at 16 and on his first visit to the city has quite a record to his name, having won the Erickson Asia-Pacific China Open with an impressive 7-under score and bagging the IGU opener. On his very first stroll of the greens, Ashok impressed with a one-under card. ``I can do better,'' words of confidence oozed by the protege of veteran Amit Luthra. Apart from the breakaway amateurs who turned pro, Amit has been a major casualty this season after aggravating a tennis elbow during the Asia-Pacific trials at Delhi where he had to pull out on the fourth day. The latest is that he is back to playing but just `casual golf.'

Apart from Ashok is 17-year-old Shiv who wants to make the tourney a meet to remember. Similarly Jaideep, who is hungry for success after last winning the Western India Amateur at Mumbai in 1998, however does not agree that he is at his best. ``It's high time I win something. It has been quite a while,'' Jaideep hopes.

So come Thursday, with the best amateur talent on view, only time will tell who takes up the challenge best in the swing towards top honours.