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The 2009 Bermuda Four Ball Championships, one of Bermuda's six majors, was held last week at the redesigned Port Royal Golf Course.

Jarryd Dillas and Robert Vallis won the Men's division with a 72 hole score of 274, 10 under par while Laura Robinson and Ebonie Burgess won the Ladies' division with a score of 233, 20 over par.

In the end, both winning teams won by handy margins. In the Men's division, the team of David Ferreria and David Hayes tried to give the Dillas/Vallis team some competition, however, a couple of bad holes made what was always going to be a difficult task that much harder.

Unfortunately, the team of Daniel Augustus and Camiko Smith, who on paper would have been a very strong team, was unable to enter due to work commitments.

While the field was smaller and not as deep as hoped, there were a few positive notes for the BGA to take away. Chief among these was a visiting twosome from Virginia, and Port Royal itself.

The twosome from Virginia was thrilled with the tournament, the golf course and, I'm very pleased to say, with good old-fashioned Bermudian hospitality. The Virginians have played in golf events in several of our Caribbean neighbours and they were very clear with their thoughts - Port Royal is the best they have ever played. They are very keen to return next year and again I'm pleased to say, they are planning to bring a bunch of their golfing friends with them.

Let's hope that pans out as visiting golfers are exactly what the BGA would love to see. It is also exactly what the Department of Tourism would love to see. There is no doubt about it - when we Bermudians just have fun and embrace our visitors, Bermuda is indeed another world, one our visitors leave longing to return.

The other chief positive coming out of the event was Port Royal itself. Off the Black Tees, Port Royal is tough and if you do not come with your game in good shape, you will likely leave it with your game in tatters. Trust me on this, for I've just been through exactly that.

Off the tee, if you wish to avoid the large, intimidating, bunkers, your tee shots must be well thought out and well placed.

However, in my opinion, it is the approach shots into the greens that have made Port Royal, off the Black Tees, very tough.

If your approach shot does not find the green, you will find yourself either in a deep bunker or in rough that literally swallows up your golf ball. The rough around the greens is deep and soft, and your golf ball is literally engulfed by it.

It is very difficult to get club on ball in rough like that, which makes good chipping very difficult indeed.

I think when all is said and done, Port Royal may in fact be the gem some claim it to be.

Time will tell, of course, and maintaining it to a high standard will be critical but, off the Black Tees, Port Royal Black is indeed a stern test of golf.

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