Team picked for world championships

The World Amateur Team Championships will be played later this month in Argentina. These Championships are considered by many as the Olympics of Golf, which in a very real sense they are and will continue to be, despite golf being readmitted to the real Olympics, commencing in 2016.

While golf has been readmitted to the Olympics, it is extremely unlikely that an amateur will ever qualify to participate in golf at the event.  As a result, the World Amateur Team Championships will continue to be the Olympics of Golf, at least for the amateurs of the world.

As for the 2010 Championships in Argentina, Bermuda will be sending a men’s team to participate, the members of which are Terrence Daniels, Jarryd Dillas and Jun Haardart.

The team will be captained by Dr. Robert Vallis, who has a wealth of experience playing competitive golf, and will be able to provide the team members with the support they require during play.

This event is played every other year, in the even numbered years, and is one of the few team events that Bermuda sends golf teams to.

Island Games

The other main team event for Bermuda golf is in the Island Games, which are held in the odd numbered years. 

Bermuda does very well in golf in the Island Games, and has won both the Team Gold medal as well as the Individual Gold Medal. Success in golf at the Island Games is achieved by Bermuda by the men and the women, in both the Team as well as the Individual events.

While Bermuda should expect to compete for top honours at the Island Games, success at the World Amateur Team Championships should be measured quite differently for teams from Bermuda.  The quality of player competing in the Team Championships is of a much higher calibre than those competing in the Island Games, and so success for Bermuda should be tempered accordingly.

Much discussion and debate can be, and has been, had as to what constitutes success for Bermuda at the Team Championships. 

For instance, while Bermuda will likely send a Women’s team to the next Island Games in 2011, the decision was taken not to send a women’s team to the Team Championships in Argentina, on the basis that Bermuda’s women golfers, at this time, are not sufficiently skilled to participate in this calibre of event. 

So, how should we measure the results of our men’s team when they play in Argentina later this month? 

It is an interesting topic, one which brings with it many different thoughts and ideas. 

The team representing Bermuda in Argentina is arguably as strong as it could be and is certainly being captained by the most able captain.  Given that scenario, there is a school of thought that suggests that this team should finish higher than any team before it. 

Success is achieved simply by being there but I know that each player will strive for more than just being there.