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Since we are now in September, the PGA Grand Slam of Golf, which is to be played at the revamped Port Royal Golf Course, is just around the corner.

Putting on the Grand Slam of Golf is no easy matter and requires many, many, volunteers to pull it off. Leon Nearon, head man for this year's event, is to be congratulated for taking on the task which will take up most of his waking hours from here on in. Regrettably, it will also no doubt provide him with some sleepless nights as well.

There are all sorts of committees necessary to run this event successfully, all of which must be staffed with their own team of volunteers. Hours and hours of time are put in by the various committees, with each committee member being an essential part of the team.

All of the many volunteers are to be congratulated, as without them, the event cannot be a success.

As for the competitors, the four qualifiers are now in place. Even though Tiger Woods is not amongst them, Bermuda is set to welcome the four competitors to its shores and to let the viewing world see the glory of the revamped Port Royal Golf Course.

This year's best

The four qualifiers, Angel Cabrera, Lucas Glover, Stewart Cink and Y. E. Yang, while not necessarily household names, certainly are familiar with which end of the club to hold. These are world class golfers, all of whom can seriously play this game. Be in no doubt whatsoever, whichever four players tee it up in the Grand Slam of Golf, they will provide to all those who venture out to the tournament a wonderful display of golfing talent.

I recently had the opportunity to play the revamped Port Royal Golf Course and I'm glad I did. As with everything in Bermuda, one hears all sorts of stories and it is always useful to dip one's own toes into the water to see what's what.

Now that I've dipped my toes in the water, I'll tell you what I thought.

For one thing, I thought the view from the clubhouse was spectacular, with the blue, blue ocean contrasting perfectly against the green of the golf course. From the clubhouse, you can see most of the holes on the back nine and that too is a wonderful sight.

Great views are important and no doubt tourists to Bermuda, and TV viewers to the Grand Slam, will be wide-eyed when they see Port Royal for the first time.

As for the golf course, well, I'm probably a traditionalist when it comes to golf courses. I like golf courses that wend their way gently through the countryside. I'm a walker and a bag carrier by preference so I like my greens and next tees close together. I prefer golf courses that have more trees and fewer cart paths. I like natural undulations in golf courses rather than golf courses that have had undulations built into them. I like greens that are smaller rather than larger.

What I'm saying, of course, is that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I recommend strongly that you go and dip your own toes into the water and see what's what for yourself.[[In-content Ad]]

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