Spirits high at Port Royal

MONDAY, OCTOBER 22: Beautiful weather welcomed pro golfers, celebrities and spectators to the 30th annual PGA Grand Slam of Golf today.

The week kicked off with the Pro-Am this morning at the Port Royal golf course.

Each pro was paired up with three teams for the 18 holes of the course as Bubba Watson, Webb Simpson, Keegan Bradley and Padraig Harrington were able to test out the course before the tournament begins tomorrow morning.

HLN anchor Robin Meade, cricket legend Brian Lara and former premier Dr Ewart Brown were among the players.

Lara added to the fun by playeing a little cricket for the crowd at the 18th tee along with Golf Channel’s Michael Breed.

They were joined by Jekon Edness, Somerset Cricket captain, who played wicketkeeper with Dr Brown as bowler.

Harrington also got in on the cricket action, only to be clean bowled by Dr Brown.

Len and Mary Beintema from Ontario flew to Bermuda specifically for the Grand Slam of Golf. Mary said: “We decided to visit because we enjoy golf. We are golfers.

“We have never been to Bermuda before and it was the perfect opportunity.”

Len added: “We had vacation coming and we figured we had to maximize it.

“When the PGA happens to be here, it’s an opportunity to be taken.”

Luke and Brook Huddleston from New Orleans  flew in on the same plane as Watson.

Luke said: “We are here specifically for the event. The weather is gorgeous outside of the little bit of showers we had yesterday.

“The driver gave us a thorough tour from the airport to the Fairmont Southampton.”

Brooke added: “We’re world travellers but we had never been to Bermuda so this was a good chance to visit.”

Ryder Cup star Simpson said: “It’s beautiful here. I have never played a course with views like this.

“Pebble Beach was love at first sight but this place is truly special. It’s a celebratory week and I can’t think of another want to spend it.”

Defending champion Bradley added: “I'm doing great. It's great to be back in Bermuda.  

“The weather is perfect and course is even better than I remember it.

“I'm looking forward to playing with him (Bubba Watson, at the back of the room) the next couple days.”

The ever-playful Watson drew graffiti on the pictures of the players inside the club and spoke of his artistic skills.

Asked how the course was today, he said: “It was good.  It's a great course. You know what I liked is that we're on a small island.  

“It's amazing, the atmosphere around here, there's a lot of people, a lot of local support and a lot of the vocals and volunteers and stuff are excited for us to be here so it was nice to get that warm welcome in this beautiful area, and the weather was perfect today.”

Julius Mason of the PGA then asked if he has a future as a golf instructor after giving Meade some tips.

“Yes, my first lesson under the gun with a camera and fans watching. She almost made a hole‑in‑one. She knocked it to two feet, three feet.  

“I think I did pretty good. If they were all like, then I would make tons of money.”

Harrington, who was a last-minute call-up for the injured Ernie Els, is playing in his third Grand Slam, coming runner-up in 2007 and 2008.

“I can't remember the play-off which I obviously lost to Jim Furyk, but I really remember the one I lost to Cabrera.  

“I remember that one all right, and hopefully this is third time a charm.”

The Grand Slam of Golf begins tomorrow morning at 10:30am.