Slam promotes the best of Bermuda

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24: Rumours in the clubhouse indicated the return of the PGA Grand Slam of Golf to Bermuda in 2013 was a done deal.

It’s not – but, even with an election in sight, the Tourism Minister should make it a top priority.

Today’s final round had a little more intensity out on the course as the four players attempted to get the biggest share of the $1.35 million prize pot.

The crowd were paying a little more attention, too. Keegan Bradley’s eagle on 14 sparked a healthy roar, and Bubba Watson and Bradley’s struggles on 16 had everyone peering over the ledge to get a better view to work out what was going on.

So the golf delivered. But what really captured the imagination was the venue and its potential. Even with all the cash and prestige at stake, the players were so in awe of the view at eight, they all had a moment together staring out into the ocean. All except Padraig Harrington, who remained focused on his putt. Perhaps that’s why he won. And perhaps that’s why he used to be an accountant. I don't know. 

He’ll certainly enjoying banking his winner’s cheque for $600,000 but he was also effusive in his praise for the island, Bermudians’ welcoming nature, its weather and pretty much everything about the place. The only bad thing, he said, was that he now expects the same standards every time he comes back!

In jest he made a good point. The challenge now is to make the tournament inextricably linked with Bermuda. Make it even better, attract even more people to this fantastic corner of the world.

Word is – again clubhouse talk – that Hawaii badly wants this tournament back after staging it between 1994 and 2006. Fresh reports confirmed San Diego has already held negotiations about hosting the event next year. On both fronts, Bermuda should take it personally and focus on making it unimaginable that the Grand Slam of Golf could be played anywhere else.

At a time when the economy is the talk of the town and you can’t turn a page without the word “austerity” being rammed down your throat, hosting a world-renowned event broadcast across the globe is the perfect way to attract people to visit Bermuda and spend their hard-earned dollars.

The “So much more” slogan can only do so much. Pictures (particularly on TV), as it is often said, paint a thousand words and there are few more inviting waters than the ones Port Royal overlooks in Southampton.

The world sampled the best of Bermuda the past couple of days. Hawaii and San Diego, if you’re listening, back off.