How Port Royal Course Scored With The PGA
Following the conclusion of its most recent Bermuda tournament, the PGA of America announced the Grand Slam of Golf — golf’s most difficult event for which to qualify — will remain at Port Royal Golf Course in Bermuda through 2012.
And one PGA spokesman said the decision to stick with Port Royal was based in part on the mammoth efforts to refurbish the West End course three years ago, describing them as “Extreme Makeover: Golf Course Edition”.
In a glowing report at the Professional Golfers’ Association of America website, PGA.com interactive producer T.G. Auclair said the Bermuda Government’s investments in the course in recent years had paid huge dividends.
“Time, the elements and literally millions of golf spikes can conspire to wear the luster off even the most brilliant of golf courses,” he said.
“But as is being proven at Port Royal Golf Course in Bermuda, the home of the PGA Grand Slam of Golf, it’s amazing what a talented architect, a tireless crew and an accommodating ownership can achieve. Call it, ‘Extreme Makeover: Golf Course Edition’.
Keegan Bradley got a congratulatory hug from his family after sinking the winning putt at Port Royal Golf Course in the 2011 PGA Grand Slam Of Golf
“…Port Royal has always been held in high regard because of its magnificent layout. However, over the years the quality of the course deteriorated. That’s what happens on a small island forever exposed to the elements.
“Sitting on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, Port Royal has its share of wind, which never helped the bunkers. And, for a country whose primary source of water is rainfall, well, you can imagine what type of havoc that can cause when it comes to irrigating a world-class golf destination.”
But Mr. Auclair said when the PGA Grand Slam of Golf — the game’s most prestigious foursome, which includes the winners of the year’s four majors — first decided to tee off at the Port Royal Golf Course in 2009, organisers were hugely impressed by its recent $14.5 million upgrade.
“After a two-year run up the road at another Bermudian gem in Mid Ocean Club, the Grand Slam moved to Port Royal, a Government-owned public course ranked among the world’s best by ‘Golf Digest’,” he said.
Port Royal Golf Course In Southampton
“Because of the exposure Bermuda had already received in hosting the Grand Slam at Mid Ocean, everyone knew it was time to give Port Royal that much-needed upgrade.
The PGA website quotes former Port Royal manager Bill Pitt as saying: “The biggest challenge was for the board of directors or the government to say, ‘Yes, it’s a go.
“Then the challenge after that was to get it started so that it could finish as soon as possible.
“That also was tough because you have to pick your contractors and have them put in place.
“So the plan in general was a challenge because we were trying to turn it around so quickly.”
That’s when Boston-based architect Roger Rulewich entered the equation.
Mr. Rulewich, who spent several years working for original designer Robert Trent Jones and even helped on the initial construction of Port Royal in 1970, was the obvious choice to head the restoration project.
“Along with maintaining the integrity of the layout, Mr. Rulewich could give Port Royal his own twist because of his knowledge of the property, the weather patterns in Bermuda and his passion to breathe some life into a tarnished gem,” said Mr. Auclair.
Port Royal shut down completely and in January of 2008, Mr. Rulewich and his crew got to work re-grassing the property so it would have time to germinate.
The course reopened just 18 months after breaking ground on this massive project.
“With a short timeframe, it means you have to work efficiently and quickly,” said Mr. Rulewich, who was able to get Port Royal an extra 300 yards in length to 6,800 yards. “… We brought in additional equipment and were able to complete the contouring and shaping with a local contractor. We brought in a crew of 20 workers or more and housed them in the old clubhouse.”
Celebrating the announcement the PGA Grand Slam would stay in Bermuda are Governor Sir Richard Gozney, Premier Paula Cox, Minister of Business Development & Tourism Patrice Minors and David Charles, Sr. director of championships for The PGA of America
“I’m very pleased with this project,” Mr. Pitt said. “All the new development that took place. … After 37 years, one can see the wear and tear. We had 52,000 rounds per year before. It was a popular track.
“As time goes on the wear showed. To bring this fine facility and layout up to today’s standards was necessary.”
“… It’s an honour to have the PGA Grand Slam of Gold here at a Bermuda public course. It [shows] our beauty, the Atlantic Ocean, the vistas of the ocean and we think it’s one of the great designs that was put forth by Robert Trent Jones Sr. The redesign by Roger Rulewich has without question enhanced the facility.”
Why then was Bill Pitt canned?
He was let go to save money but dont be surprised you see more cuts after all they have a few Ex Pats there still
These are high accolades. Great job to all involved!
@ Guess Who – I was thinking the same thing!
@ They say – U r soo right – there is going to be more expats than Bermudians up there! SAD!
Were the Uighers ex-pats?
You know whats crazy, we have to thank Dr Brown for this one!
only 2 ex-pats are part of the entire staff , a far more superior ex-pat/local ratio than MOST companys in bermuda !!!!!
Guess Who and So True you are SO RIGHT. Why would you let a person go after 25 years of service for “financial reasons” after they obviously did a good job overseeing the major renovation project as indicated in the article?
The ex-pat wasn’t here then but remains highly employed and receives the accolades now.
Go figure!!!!!!!!
There are some really talented and friendly people up there,like Oscar and Shannon(and the ladies in the starters shack,sorry I don’t know their names) and if something were to happen to them I will never renew my membership and I will tell every business associate I know to do the same.These Bermudian guys and ladies are the heart and sole of PR and like Bill Pitt they exemplify what hospitality and friendly service really is!!
No offence to the present management but they only care about making a huge buck off those few of us that still come back week after week.
international experience is far more valuable than JUST local knowledge in order to maintain a financially viable business . stagnentation will not cut it !
How exactly are the present management making Port Royal a “financially” viable business. Last I heard it is in tremendous debt which is no blame of the JUST KNOWLEDGEABLE LOCALS……..
Soon leavin is absolutely right, international experience is a fraction of the “value” of the operation but it is the friendly, talented local staff at the course which made people join up as members in the first place.
Bill Pitt was probably let go because he didn’t suck up hard enough to the Xpats and the Board of Trustees (micro managers, involved in everything; instead of establishing the annual operating objectives and directives and simply allowing the management and staff to implement)…
Port Royal golf course is a gem of a facility and the best championship golf course in Bermuda by far, maybe not the best maintained in Bermuda, but true championship layout, yes…
Bermuda and the Port Royal golf course are ready for a Nationwide, Senior or LPGA full event and those in position to make this happen should seriously give it consideration or at a minimum, provide some meaningful funding to the Bermuda Open, which may attract a good field of overseas and local professional golfers that would lay the ground work for the aforementioned. Just a few thoughts from an old hacker…
Well done to Port Royal and Bermuda as whole!!!!!!! Hope this event continues to impress people around the world and make them want to visit our beautiful island over and over again!