---

Two Bermudian greenkeepers on the Port Royal Golf Course are heading to the PGA Championship to learn firsthand the rigours of preparing a golf course for big galleries, an international TV audience and the best players in the world.

Hutson Carter and Melvin Smith will leave for the PGA Championship at the Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota today.

The tournament is played August 13th to August 16th. The winner of the PGA Championship qualifies to play in the Grand Slam October 19th to October 21st at Port Royal.

The Port Royal maintenance crew is already preparing for its own major international event in October - the 2009 PGA Grand Slam of Golf, televised in 100 countries.

"If we are to maintain our fantastic new golf course at world class standards we must ensure our people are properly trained," said Acting Minister of Tourism and Transport Derrick Burgess. "These men are about to get an invaluable experience and they will be great assets to Bermuda's future as a premier golf visitor destination."

Greenkeeper Melvin Smith said: "I am looking forward to it. This is a fantastic opportunity to see firsthand what's involved in the preparation and set up of a golf course for a major championship."

Senior officials at Port Royal have worked closely with PGA of America officials to create opportunities for Bermudians looking to enhance their area of expertise in the golf industry.

"The Board of Trustees is committed to building a staff at Port Royal as spectacular as the new course itself," said MP Zane DeSilva, deputy chair of the Board of Trustees. "We are working hard to secure the best learning opportunities for our public golf courses' staff and we will go the extra mile to find, train and promote Bermudians who show a high level of commitment and dedication."

In June, Port Royal greenkeeper Anthony Burchall attended the U.S. Open at Bethpage Black in New York where he observed experienced crews in the preparation of that state's public golf course for a major championship.

Premier Dr. Ewart Brown said: "Port Royal is now an unforgettable golf experience. In one visionary sweep we have stimulated golf in Bermuda like perhaps never before."

[[In-content Ad]]

---