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The first annual BGA Team Medal is almost here and, by all accounts, there should be some good golf played.

The 2009 BGA Team Medal is set to be played at the Riddell's Bay Golf Club on Sunday, September 20, in a shot gun start at 12:30pm.

It is a brand new BGA event and the intent is to hold a BGA Team Medal on an annual basis.

Of course, whether that intent bears any fruit will depend on the success of this first one, so we shall see.

Golf events are not possible without the support of many persons and organizations. At the top of the list for this particular event is the Riddell's Bay Golf Club and its members, who have graciously allowed the BGA to hold this event at their golf course. Without a golf course, there can be no golf events and Riddell's Bay is to be commended for doing its bit to promote golf in Bermuda.

The BGA sometimes finds itself in a catch-22 situation as it can be difficult to find a golf course willing to allow outside play at a price people are comfortable paying.

The BGA is working hard in this area and hopefully there will be progress going forward. Port Royal Golf Course has stepped forward in an effort to do its bit to promote golf in Bermuda and has been working closely with the BGA to create a positive golf environment. Port Royal is to be commended for this very positive approach to Bermuda golf.

The first annual BGA Team Medal on Sunday, September 20 should prove exciting. There is a Men's division and a Ladies' division, and Individual honours are also being played for.

The Men's division has teams of four players, with the three best scores counting in the Team score. The Ladies' division has teams of three players, with the two best scores counting in the Team score.

Both the Men's division and the Ladies' division should have ten teams participating.

The BGA teams are expected to consist mainly of the players who recently represented Bermuda in the Island Games, and where both BGA teams won gold.

The BGA Teams could prove hard to beat but, from what I've seen from the entry list, they will have to bring their "A" games with them if they want to win their respective divisions.

The BGA Teams should certainly head into the event as favourites to win, however, I know there are several teams who will want to whoop the BGA Teams and hand them their lunch. In an event such as this, that is exactly how it should be.

Golf at the amateur level is supposed to be fun. We don't play in order to pay the rent or buy the groceries.

We are playing for the fun of it and because we choose to play. The BGA Team Medal should provide a competitive environment for the participants and a great opportunity for a lot of healthy camaraderie.

The BGA is working hard to reinvigorate the golfing environment in Bermuda by introducing a few new tournaments and by putting life back into existing events. If you aren't playing on Sunday, you just might want to get ready for next year.[[In-content Ad]]

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