Bermuda should be proud of Daniels' U.S. Amateur success

The success of Terrence Daniels in qualifying for the final stage of this year’s U.S. Amateur is a breath of much-needed fresh air for Bermuda golf. 

His performance was impressive and all of Bermuda should stop to consider his achievement. 

In getting to the final stage of the U.S. Amateur, Mr. Daniels becomes only the second Bermudian golfer to achieve this ­distinction.

The other was Michael Sims, a professional golfer now for many years.

Mr. Daniels succeeded in moving on to the final stage of the U.S. Amateur in style, finishing in a tie for first place at his stage qualifier. 

Talented

His accomplishment included reeling off five birdies in his final nine holes, showing he has what it takes, when required, to dig down within himself and pull out the tough answers to the tough ­questions. 

While the group of ­talented golfers in Bermuda is small, Mr. Daniels has clearly thrown down the gauntlet and taken up top spot in that group. 

He won this year’s Amateur Stroke Play Championship and earned an exemption into the ­prestigious Dixie Amateur in Florida in December. 

Mr. Daniels will represent Bermuda in Argentina in October at the World Amateur Team Championships along with teammates Jarryd Dillas and Jun Hardart. 

It’s as strong a team as Bermuda could hope for and it will be interesting to see how they measure up.

Today’s top young ­amateurs are getting ­better. They hit it ­further, straighter and with more confidence than before. To ­compete alongside the best young amateur golfers of today, many of whom will turn professional, one must be able to ­perform under ­pressure. 

This cannot be learned on the practice tee or in this little fishbowl we call Bermuda. 

Skills

It can only be learned in the heat of competitive battle, playing against golfers who really know how to play this game. 

Mr. Daniels appears to understand this as he is now apparently making plans to base himself later this year in Arizona to hone his skills. It’s a smart move on his part. In order for a talented Bermudian athlete to move forward, he or she must move out of Bermuda and jump into the deep end of the pool to see whether they sink or swim.

Whether it is tennis, ­football, cricket or golf, it cannot be done here in Bermuda as the pool of competition is simply too small. 

Of course, all of that is easier said than done. Getting up and getting out of Bermuda takes what is, for most of us, a scarce resource — money. 

Nevertheless, for those who have an itch that must be scratched, it is worth remembering that where there is a will, there is a way.