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Whoever said that size does not matter clearly was not a golfer.

Well, they didn't play competitive golf, that's for sure.

Size matters, of that there is no doubt.

Ask a competitive club golfer whether they would rather win their club's monthly medal or their club's club championship. Ask a tour player whether they would rather win the Texas Open or the U.S. Open.

I'll bet you a pound to a penny that I can predict both answers.

Size matters but it is not the only thing that makes something worthwhile.

Quality matters too.

Quality of field and quality of the golf course are both important to a competitive golfer. Competitive people want to win when the test is played on a tough, fair, golf course and when the field is populated with the best players.

A win is a little hollow otherwise. Tiger's schedule is built around the best tournaments because he wants the best challenge.

Majors are majors because they attract strong fields. Majors are played on golf courses that are set up to bring the cream to the top come prize-giving day.

It's not meant to be easy as the objective is to bring the best golfer to the top.

Boring birdies

Watching a golf tournament when birdies are routine is less fun than watching when the guys are working hard to make par.

After all, working hard for a decent score is what most of us do in our weekly Sunday match. We do not often get to the 19th hole to talk about the eight birdies that we made today.

But why am I rambling on about size, quality and depth of field?

Frankly, it's because I continue to be a little concerned about the size of golf in Bermuda.

I'd like to see Bermuda golf return to the size it was a couple of decades ago, when there was a much higher level of interest in golf by the general public.

There are fewer characters in Bermuda golf today. There are no Louis Monizs, no Red Smiths, no Butch Lindos, no Tiro Wilkinsons, no Muriel Parkers.

There are others from yesteryear that I could name but for all of them, no one today can walk in any of their shoes.

Size does indeed matter. Bermuda golfers of yesteryear were somehow larger in spirit than today's golfers.

They knew the extent of their talent and they reveled in the community golf that was on tap back then.

Today's Bermuda golfers seem to have given up on community golf in Bermuda. I can't say I blame them for it has all become just a little too boring and just a little too costly.

Size of field does matter as without enough players there is little point in playing at all. Regrettably, a continued lack of participation in local events could result in their complete demise.

There are a number of factors working against a robust competitive golf environment in Bermuda.

For instance, my understanding is that the Bermuda Professional Golf Association is a bit divided within. The Bermuda Golf Association monthly medals have become boring.

Club players are opting to play most of their golf at their respective clubs. The size of fields in local national tournaments has shrunk to dismal levels.

Size matters. Golf in Bermuda needs to get bigger if it is to get better.

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