Week highlights Bermuda as golf mecca

FRIDAY, OCT. 26: It’s been a hole in one for golf tourism this week.

While the PGA Grand Slam of Golf has rightfully gobbled up most of the headlines, Bermuda has shined as a golfing destination on all fronts.

Bermuda played host to the Executive Women’s Golf Association (EWGA) on Saturday and the Stedman Graham and Bob Brown Invitational was played yesterday at Belmont Hills.

The Bermuda chapter of the EWGA was formed, thanks in part to the Department of Tourism putting up the $2,500 chapter fee.

The organization, which has membership of more than 15,000 female golfers worldwide, opened a Bermuda chapter just over a year ago to bring women together for business networking and camaraderie.

The Department of Tourism also sponsored the Graham, Brown Invitational, a charitable tournament being played to help benefit Athletes Against Drugs.

The charity’s mission is to provide kids with an educational outlet to advance academic life without use or danger from drugs, gangs or social peer pressure.

Besides Mr Graham, who is an author and inspirational speaker, as well as being Oprah Winfrey’s partner, one famous ex-athlete who played in the tournament was former Major League Baseball nine-time all-star star Gary Sheffield. NBA Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins supposed to have played in it but missed his flight.

The Department of Tourism also hosted several North American golf writers who viewed the PGA Grand Slam and also tour the destination while playing on several of the island’s courses for themselves. Outlets represented include The Golf Channel, Golf Today, African American Golf Digest, Arizona Fairways and Golf Guide.

The goal of all of these efforts, according to Minister Furbert, is to spread the word on Bermuda as both a top golf and vacation spot and a place to meet and do business.

“This week was tremendous. First of all, we had tremendous weather, which helped out.”

He said having celebrities here like HLN’s Robin Meade, Earl Graves from Black Enterprise, West Indies cricket legend Brian Lara and Mr Graham further enhances Bermuda’s reputation as a golfing destination when they tell their fans about the island.

“Graham is here now, speaking about Bermuda. We cannot even consider the value we have achieved from these individuals spreading that good news.

He added with all the media coverage Bermuda received from the PGA Grand Slam “was probably ten-fold to what we paid out to have this event take place in Bermuda.”

He said the Graham-Brown Invitational was purposedly held on Thursday to take advantage of the timing with the Grand Slam.

Minister Furbert said a video of Mr Graham will be on the Department of Tourism’s website soon.

“He says he’s been to so many other places and the best place he’s been to is Bermuda. There are people out there who love to follow celebrities and by him endorsing Bermuda the way he did helps generate an interest.

“Word of mouth advertising has a better return than by placing (an ad) in a magazine.”

Tourism director William ‘Billy’ Griffith said the EWGA was also timed around the Grand Slam. He said they were able to play several rounds of golf as well as attend the PGA event.

“Their plans are to grow the number of women coming down and create some competition between the local chapter and the overseas divisions.”

Maxwell Burgess, Tourism chairman, said: “When we get groups like the EWGA endorsing and encouraging people to come to Bermuda, their involvement tends to grow the local golf as well.

“These women now go back with a  personal Bermuda experience and they grow it. The ‘So Much More’ isn’t an advert any more, it’s a life experience.”

Mr Furbert said: “This week truly underscores what a great product we offer here and allows us to share it with the world.”