2011/12: Bermuda to Host PGA Grand Slam
Minister of Business Development and Tourism Patrice Minors announced this morning [Jan 27] that Bermuda will host the PGA Grand Slam of Golf again in 2011 and 2012.
Bermuda and Port Royal Golf Course will return as hosts for the 29th and 30th editions of the PGA Grand Slam of Golf. The season-ending showcase event boasts the most difficult qualification requirement in the game – a major championship – and will be televised Oct 18-19, 2011, and in 2012, by TNT to a worldwide audience.
“The PGA of America is honored to continue the PGA Grand Slam of Golf tradition on the island of Bermuda through 2012 at the Port Royal Golf Course,” said PGA of America President Allen Wronowski. “Bermuda has embraced the PGA Grand Slam of Golf over the past several years, delivering unmatched hospitality and community support for golf’s elite visiting foursome. We are excited to once again join the Bermuda Department of Tourism in showcasing Bermuda as a premier golf tourism destination and hosting the PGA Grand Slam of Golf to the world.”
Established in 1979, the PGA Grand Slam of Golf has grown from an 18-hole, single-day charity event to a 36-hole annual showdown that matches professional golf’s best against each other. Ernie Els captured the 2010 PGA Grand Slam of Golf title at Port Royal.
The foursome for the 29th PGA Grand Slam of Golf features the winner of the following major championships: The Masters, April 7-10, at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga.; the 111th U.S. Open Championship, June 16-19, at Congressional Country Club in Potomac, Md.; the 140th Open Championship, July 14-17, at Royal St. George’s, England; and the 93rd PGA Championship, Aug. 8-14, at Atlanta Athletic Club in Johns Creek, Ga.
Past PGA Grand Slam of Golf Champions include Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk, Els, Tom Lehman, Ben Crenshaw, Greg Norman and Nick Price.
Minister Minor’s full statement follows below:
Good morning,
I am absolutely thrilled to be here to officially announce that Bermuda will once again be hosting the PGA Grand Slam of Golf at the Port Royal Golf Course.
Several years ago, we made it one of our top priorities to attract a televised golf event that would deliver the world’s best players and showcase Bermuda as a first-class golf destination.
The PGA Grand Slam of Golf was fruits of our hard work and determination.
Now four years later, our relationship with the PGA of America is one that has grown from strength to strength, and we are so pleased that we are continuing this special partnership into 2011 and 2012.
Over the years golf driven tourism has become one of the key components and driving successes behind our tourism product.
This niche market is becoming increasingly competitive and we recognise that we cannot just sit back and wait for the visitor to come to us.
Instead we must become more innovative, more unique and more aggressive in our marketing efforts as it relates to our golf product.
As a result of this commitment the decision was made by the Government to carry out a multi-million major redesign of Port Royal Golf Course.
This signature Robert Trent Jones Par 71 original, now lengthened to 6,842 yards, was completely rebuilt specifically to host the PGA Grand Slam.
Ladies and gentlemen, the exposure that Bermuda receives from this event cannot be understated, with tens of millions around the world bearing witness to our breathtaking scenery, charm and hospitality.
Past PGA Grand Slam of Golf champions have included some of golf’s greatest names, and we look forward to presenting the signature Pink Jacket to the next wave of champions in the years to come.
Finally today’s announcement clearly signifies that the PGA recognises Bermuda as a premier destination to host one of their biggest golfing events.
It is a ringing endorsement of our little jewel of an Island from one of the most influential sports organizations in the world.
And so we are tremendously thankful and welcome your support of our tourism product.
Thank You.
At first I was a little skeptical of spending so much money to have the PGA come to Bermuda even though I am a golf professional and huge golf fan in general. I wasn’t sure Bermuda would get its moneys worth especially when attending the event and seeing mostly “locals”. However seeing the publicity afterwards on the worlds golfing news…USA, EUROPE, SOUTH AMERICA…ETC. we recieved publicity that probably couldn’t have been purchased for the same price.
The only “PROBLEM” I have is that it is dificult to account for how many tourist visit the island as a result of the Grand Slam..I would like to see money go towards more of actual golf tournaments…e.g the Bermuda Open where a prize fund of 100,000 would bring 100 players plus wives,girlfriends,family…each spending well over 1000 for the 5 days they would be here and you would be able to account for actual numbers coming to Bermuda…..Maybe BERMUDA OPEN 2011
This event is not designed to attract tourists to Bermuda to watch the tournament, never has never will be. It is about Bermuda. Having said that it is natural that local Companies will use the time to entertain their clients but the exposure that Bermuda receives, as you have mentioned, is priceless. Because of this, golfing visitors will consider Bermuda as a viable golfing destination. Now if we can just find entertainment we will have the complete package. Glad to see that you have recognized the value. Sad that some are quick to critisize and I suppose not everyone can understand the vision rigth away.
well said.
It all comes down to $$. What value for money are we receiving?
agree,,,but not sure you could ever account for the money spent….yes great advertising of Bermuda…but how many tourist come to BERMUDA because they saw the Grand Slam on tv….were as if you hosted 10 tournaments through the year offering 100,000 a tournament you would know you get say 1000 golfers from overseas for a million bucks who then put 1.5 million ..estimate…back into the economy….hotels,taxis,dinner,entertainment..etc..
just saying would like the governent to push this side of things..as well…we have to have golfers come here for a reason…2 or 3 good courses isn§t going to cut it when Myrtle Beach has 100 plus…VEGAS HAS 40 PLUS then there is Florida ..etc..tournaments like Goslings Belmont invitational and the Goodwill in December seem to have the right approach..with a bit more funding they could be exeptional…
Your missing the point! Whilst I agree that funding can be put towards local events such as Bermuda Open, Goslings and Goowiill, The PGA Grand Slam provides exposure through television that is priceless?
You want to know the effects? Look at the recent announcement by the German PGA to host their winter camp in Bermuda from Sept to March! The PGA GS helped in that decision and so did the appearance of Martin Kaymer. Do you know that there are over 700,000 registered golfers in Germany? That’s the type of effect it has.
The BDOT spend millions on advertising and it is difficult to measure the true effect of that but they have to do it. In the hay day of the Bermuda Open they only attracted a handful of players from overseas. The Goodwill has the biggest following and provides the largest economic impact that week. They are the ones that deserve more funding and in fact EVEN some of them were excited to play Port Royal because of the GS.
Does the GS have a positive effect? I say soj
I thought everything Ewart did was bad? Pink Jackets, Bermuda on tv, stars and celebrities flying in for this event….careful Patrice, the gloves will soon be off for you too…or will they ?
Depends if she decides to fleece the taxpayer via contracts handed to her friends which conveniently results in massive “overruns” and no accountability.
Or if she conducts herself in an “unethical but legal” manner.
Then the gloves are off…
Some of you Dr. Brown supporters suffer from serious cases of Stockholm Syndrome…
BDOT need now build events and activities around this PGA Event that include tickets of course, but also couples golf, or after PGA package rounds on Port Royal, with Dinner included, PGA Cruise around the Island, I mean throw anything in to entice tourist to spend that entire week in Bermuda!
BDOT actually does do that and there has been some positive affect. Problem is that Port Royal needs the course just before and after the tournament for set up and take down. Cruises have been arranged for PGA and Tour Operators in fact have been packaging the heck out of the PGA GS. BDOT offer free tickets to help promote the packages put together.
Pompano have a couple’s tournament a couple of weeks after the event and by looking at the results they had a whopping 42 couples participate. looks like they played, Belmont, Riddell’s and Port Royal twice. During thier days off they play MOC and or TPC.
As I have mentioned in other articles, more hotels need to do the same thing instead of relying on the BDOT or Government to do everything. Govt. has spent the money to get the attraction it is now up those in the industry to be creative and take advantage of it. BDOT is willing to spend additional $ to help as long as it puts “heads in beds”
I know that people do not like to use the economy as an excuse but it is an unfortunate fact that it has played a major role in the downturn in tourism numbers. looking at stats worldwide for golf rounds in particular, there has been a major drop in rounds played from 2008 to date…a major drop. This is causing golf courses to close or asses their memberships.
I am going to stick my neck out and say that the collapse of Newstead was more of bad timing than it was of bad managment as indicated by some. The vision is spectaular and had the hotel been in operation in 2007 and 2008 they would have done well. That is only my opinion so take it for what it is worth.
Overall BDOT do have make an effort to let the people know what they are doing because they really are working hard behind the scenes, yet no one knows!
Do we give up or keep trying? I say keep trying and remain in the market because it has to get better and it makes sense to be ready when it does.
Maybe the event can be promoted for what it should be – a show case for golf and encourage visitors to Bermuda rather than having the Bermuda taxpayer foot the bill so Ewart could play with Tiger (in his dreams).
The facts are if tiger don’t come ain’t nobody else coming. He will draw in the people.