Mild Temps, Great Golf - Part of Year-Round Tourism Strategy
Hundreds of visiting golfers will flock to Bermuda’s golf courses this month. The first-ever Bermuda 3s World Team Championship presented by Goslings kicks off next week and the Pompano Beach Club’s couples golf tournament tees off later in October, continuing a long tradition that started about 15 yeas ago.
The two events align with the Bermuda Tourism Authority strategy to leverage sports as a means for growing the island as a year-round destination.
“Bermuda’s competitive advantage is clear: she’s an idyllic destination for golf far beyond the spring and summer months,” said Bermuda Tourism Authority Chief Sales and Marketing Officer Victoria Isley. “In the areas where most of Bermuda’s visitors come from, the U.S. northeast and Canada, it’s difficult to play golf in the fall and winter because of the weather. Avid golfers who are itching to play in that six-month stretch between October and March can head to Bermuda where the temperatures are mild, the views are gorgeous and the golf courses are world-class.”
Almost 200 golfers are expected on the island to play competitive rounds at Port Royal Golf Course, Tucker’s Point Golf Club, Turtle Hill Golf Club and Mid Ocean Golf Club during the two aforementioned events. Additional leisure travellers who enjoy golf while on vacation are expected to be out on the courses as well.
At Pompano Beach Club embracing couples golf helps keep the hotel busy with repeat guests. About 60 couples are expected this month to play five rounds on four golf courses over a five to six-night stay, according to Par 3 Consulting which has managed the event the past two years.
“Couples are coming from all over the world and many of them really look forward to returning to a place they love and reuniting with golfers they really enjoy playing with – and against,” said Anthony Mocklow, chief innovation officer at Par 3 Consulting.
The Bermuda Tourism Authority-sponsored Bermuda 3s event is a novel concept that spreads competition across three local golf courses with three amateur players per team who are matched with one professional. Each team represents their home country. Thirteen teams from North America, Europe and Bermuda are in the competition for year one.
Frequent Bermuda visitor Ken Kennerly and Joe Steranka, the former CEO of the PGA of America, are behind Bermuda 3s. Mr Steranka said: “Bermuda is an attractive golf destination year-round, but the growth potential for the island is particularly strong in the fall and winter. We hope Bermuda 3s helps to show the world the great things we’ve discovered about golf out here.”
The Goslings International Invitational in November and the Bermuda Goodwill Golf Tournament in December are also established tournaments with a tradition of attracting visitors to the island to play golf in the fall and winter.
