Bermuda Grand Slam of Golf

Bermuda Grand Slam of Golf

By Dave Finn as published on pages 38 and 39 of November 2024 issue of Golf Central Magazine.

Port Royal Golf Course – Hole #16

Rich with history and architecture, blessed with safe friendly people, Bermuda offers world-class golf, pink sandy beaches, crystal clear water and magnificent restaurants all within an easy 2½ direct flight from most major cities on the eastern seaboard of North America.  The weather is perfect year-round, and the scenery is second to none.

For us golfers there are five 18-hole championship courses, one 9-hole and an 18-hole par-3 to test your skills.  In fact, Bermuda boasts as having the highest concentration of golf courses per square mile in the world that takes up almost 17% of the country’s 21.6 square miles of real estate.

From 2007 to 2014, Bermuda proudly hosted the PGA Bermuda Grand Slam of Golf in mid-October pairing the winners of all four majors in a 36-hole event vying for bragging rights and a $1.3 million prize purse.

Here you can play some of the more picturesque courses in the world as well as follow alongside the footsteps of the most decorated professional golfers. 2010 participant Martin Kaymer reportedly said, “It’s like a paradise, playing golf in paradise” and I could not agree any more.

During my brief visit I only got a chance to play four of their courses and I was not disappointed.

Mid Ocean Club – Hole #3

Mid Ocean Club was designed in 1922 by Canadian born architect Charles Blair Macdonald and revised in 1953 by legendary architect Robert Trent Jones Sr. Home of the 2007 and 2008 PGA Grand Slam of Golf, this is a true ocean layout that consistently ranks as one of the finest in the world. It’s a private course but allows guests at limited times during weekdays for $375.

Port Royal Golf Course – Hole #8

Port Royal Golf Course was originally designed in 1970 by renowned architect Robert Trent Jones Sr. but was lengthened to 6,842 yards by Roger Rulewich, a Jones protégé, so that it could host the 2009 to 2014 PGA Grand Slam of Golf.  Port Royal has more of a modern feel with a breathtaking tropical landscape, sweeping ocean vistas and one of the greatest holes in golf.  Port Royal is a public course that will set you back $210 for 18 holes.

Tucker’s Point – Hole #12

Tucker’s Point was originally designed by Charles H. Banks in 1932 however this 18-hole par 70 course has gone through numerous modifications over the years.  I would highly recommend you swallow your pride and move up a set of tees since accuracy is much more important than distance on this course.  This is a private course but allows visitors. If you are a Rosewood Hotel guest green fees with cart are $195 otherwise they are $225.

Turtle Hill Golf Club – 1st Hole

Turtle Hill Golf Club is adjacent to the Fairmont Southampton Hotel and a great way to start your vacation or hone your short game.  A scenic 18-hole 2,873-yard executive golf course that has been rated as one of the top 5 par-3’s in the world by Golf Magazine. It features with lots of elevation changes, heavily bunkered greens, numerous water hazards and great views of the aquamarine-coloured ocean.  Green fees are $64.

Other golf courses in Bermuda:

Belmont Hills Golf Course

Ocean View Golf Club

I think 2011 Open Champion Darren Clarke sums it up best, “I was scheduled to play Valderrama next week, but I’m not playing now because I’ve decided that Bermuda is such a beautiful place that I’m going to stay on for a few extra days.”

To read the entire November 2024 issue of  Golf Central Magazine click here:

Bermuda – The Grand Slam of Golf