Cambridge Beaches Hosts Celebrity Golfers

During a summit meeting with US President Dwight Eisenhower held at Bermuda’s Mid Ocean Club in 1953, Sir Winston Churchill is said to have looked out over its famous course and repeated his celebrated observation that playing a good round of golf was as difficult as chasing a quinine pill around a cow pasture.

Most golfers can relate to the former British Prime Minister’s blunt assessment of a sport that has even thwarted the skills of Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus on occasion — including a host of his fellow countrymen teeing off today [Nov. 20] at Port Royal Golf Course. But the amateur tournament these British celebrities and journalists are participating in is aimed at heightening Bermuda’s tourism profile if not actually lowering the contestants’ handicaps.

The first Cambridge Beaches-British Airways Celebrity Golf Tournament, entitled the Hackers Cup, is intended to promote tourism and manifest the fun and dynamic side of Bermuda.

“It was conceived to strip away the misconceptions of Bermuda being somewhat stuffy,” said a spokesman for Cambridge Beaches. “So celebrity and media industry personalities have beeen invited to participate in the exclusive, invitation-only event that will focus on four days of fun and golf.”

The event takes place from today through Thursday [Nov. 24] at the home of the PGA Grand Slam, Port Royal Golf Course. Accommodation is  being provided by the West End resort, Cambridge Beaches [pictured at top].

In addition to the golf competition, participants will also take part in activities at Cambridge Beaches’ award-winning Ocean Spa facilities and enjoy cuisine prepared by internationally-recognised Chef Keith De Shields at the varied outlets on the property.

“We are delighted that Cambridge Beaches and Resort & Spa can bring this first-ever opportunity to Bermuda with the help of our close partnerships with British Airways and Port Royal Golf Course,” said Michael Winfield, Cambridge Beaches president and CEO and host of the tournament.

“The UK is very important to the livelihood of tourism and business in Bermuda and having the celebrities and journalists actively participate in the Hackers Cup underscores how significant Bermuda is to the UK for business, vacations, relaxation, and fun!”

Bermuda’s Port Royal Golf Course

The Hackers Cup will be awarded to the winner of the media or celebrity team following a two-day, two-round tournament.

On the third day, networking and socialising among a well-recognised group of UK celebrities from TV, radio, media and theatre industries will be leaders of the Bermuda business community.

The following personalities are confirmed to participate:

• Clive Agran, contributing journalist, “Golf Monthly”, “Today’s Golfers”, “Going for Golf” and “Golf News”;
• Minty Clinch, journalist, indomitable traveller, and film reviewer;
• Peter Corrigan, golf columnist, “Independent on Sunday”;
• Charlotte Jackson, lead presenter, Sky Sports News;
• Gethin Clifford Jones, Welsh television presenter, BBC’s “Blue Peter”;
• Dougie Keen, reporter and producer, Sky Sports and former professional football player;
• Phillippa Kennedy OBE, freelance journalist and broadcaster and original panelist of “Loose Women”;
• Michael Lynagh, Australian rugby union footballer;
• Gary McAllister MBE, Scottish former professional footballer;
•  Nick Perry, chairman, Ultratravel Limited;
•  Sir Steven Geoffrey Redgrave CBE, English Olympic gold medalist rower;
•  Peter Tory, former actor, Royal Shakespeare Company, and columnist, “Daily Express” and “Daily Mirror”;
• and Rhodri Williams, Welsh sports journalist and former anchor, Sky Sports News.

The British Airways delegation includes Richard Tams, head of UK and Ireland sales and marketing and Keith Chuter, sales manager, online and direct. British Airways is the official airline sponsor providing complimentary airfare for all guests.

In his “Independent On Sunday” column today, Mr. Corrigan said his weekend golfing skills are likely to be put to the test in Bermuda when he goes up against some of the world-class celebrity athletes participating in the Port Royal tournament.

“As a rule, hackers are happy when creating havoc in private, with only their long-suffering playing partners as witnesses. Occasionally, however, they have to face a wider audience,” he said. “I am today embarking on a trip which will severely test not only my golf but my nerve.

“It is difficult to call it an ordeal because it will take place in what I consider to be a golfing paradise: Bermuda. I have been fortunate to visit this enchanting island many times and on this occasion have been invited to take part in the Cambridge Beaches-British Airways Celebrity Golf Tournament. Some journalists have been thrown in, to ensure the tone doesn’t get too high. But with Britain’s greatest Olympic hero, Sir Steven Redgrave, leading the field, the profile is pretty high. Also with us are the Australian rugby star Michael Lynagh, former Scotland and Leeds United captain Gary McAllister and television presenters Charlotte Jackson and Gethin Jones.

“We will be competing for the Hackers Cup — coincidentally, I assure you — and I shall be watching carefully to see how many genuine hackers are among us. Celebrity sportsmen have been known to carry dodgy handicaps.

“We are playing at Port Royal, which recently staged the PGA Grand Slam of Golf, featuring the four major winners of 2011 and won by the US PGA champion, Keegan Bradley. Renovated at a cost of more than £10 million, Port Royal has a par three which is claimed to be the toughest in the world. But I am determined to stay calm and composed at all times.”

Highlights of the Cambridge Beaches-British Airways Celebrity Golf Tournament Hackers Cup include:

Monday [Nov. 21] – T-times practice round and exposure to Bermuda
Tuesday [Nov. 22] – Journalists vs. Celebrities play; BBQ on the 10th tee; and cocktails and dinner at Cambridge Beaches
Wednesday [Nov. 23] – 2nd round of the Hackers Cup, award celebration at Cambridge Beaches
Thursday [Nov. 24] – Celebrity/Journalist/Corporate Pro‐Am Challenge‐shot gun start; awards ceremony; and BBQ gala at Port Royal Golf Course.

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Category: All, Sports