BTA: Black Golfers Week From April 27 To May 1
The Bermuda Tourism Authority [BTA] announced the return of Black Golfers Week, set to be held from April 27-May 1st.
A spokesperson said, “Black Golfers Week will be an opportunity to celebrate the golf community’s continued progress toward diversity and inclusion, thus ultimately reinvesting in the sport.
“Black Golfers Week intends to attract golfers and visitors to celebrate the island’s rich history, promote diversity and inclusion in the sport, and have constructive conversations around structural racial inequities that have historically excluded certain groups, particularly people of colour.
“St. George’s native Louis Rafael ‘Kid’ Corbin was the first black golfer to compete in prestigious tournaments like the Canadian Open and passionately fought against racism on and off the course. With Corbin being a Black Bermudian, enshrining a legacy that transformed golf, the island should celebrate the progress made during the Black Golfers Week event.
“A growing list of international athletes, celebrities, and notable guests will already be on the island earlier the same week for the Celebrity Invitational Golf Tournament. The initial list of confirmed VIPs to attend Black Golfers Week currently includes Shasta Averyhardt [Pro Golfer and the first African American golfer on the LPGA Tour] and Olajuwon Ajanaku [Pro Golfer, Founder of Eastside Golf and star of HULU documentary Grails]. All Bermuda residents, stakeholders, and tourism partners are encouraged to get involved and support by sponsoring or attending events during Black Golfers Week.”
“This event is open to everyone. We look forward to welcoming all visitors back to the island for Black Golfers Week this year,” said Tracy Berkeley, Interim Chief Executive Officer of the BTA. Bermuda has the most golf courses per square mile and we look to attract golfers from around the world to play 18 holes on our breathtaking greens. “Travellers want to see versions of themselves when visiting a destination and one of the BTA’s objectives outlined in the National Tourism Plan is to attract more Black visitors to the island. This event will work to help us achieve that.” Ms. Berkeley said.
“Being a part of the Bermuda Black Golfers Week echoes what our vision is at Eastside Golf, which is to get people from all over the world and from all walks of life to come to the game of golf,” says Olajuwon Ajanaku, Pro Golfer and Founder of Eastside Golf. “This sport has opened so many doors for me personally and professionally, and I look forward to seeing what this weekend is doing for the people of Bermuda,” said Ajanaku.
The spokesperson said, “The progress made by Mr. Corbin’s resistance against the past racism in the sport can be seen by looking no further than at Shasta Averyhardt, a Pro Golfer who made history by being the first African American golfer on the LPGA Tour who is excited to visit Black Golfers Week.”
“I’ve seen some beautifully captured moments of the culture and the views online, but nothing beats being there in person. Based on last year’s event, I feel 2023’s event will be even more adventurous on and off the golf course!” said Averyhardt.
For a full schedule and more information on Black Golfers Week and available packages, visit GoToBermuda.com.
How many visitors? They always neglect to include this, and I can’t help thinking its no more than a few paid to be here.
Happy to be corrected BTA.
It’s not always about numbers of visitors or even the amount each spends. The reason we used to have College Weeks was to get young people coming here so that they would return later in life when they had money to spend. The same is true of cruise ship visitors (who contribute very little to the economy).
If we can get Tiger Woods here, for example, it doesn’t matter if he is the only PGA golfer to come for Black Golfers Week. We will have the exposure the BTA is seeking.
Most events in Bermuda, including many supported by the BTA, do not attract significant numbers of visitors. If any. They are all local focussed.
Because Bermuda has no real culture to speak of, everything is imported, we’re faced with a strategy of putting on a bunch of stuff, harbour nights, swizzle fest, carnival, etc. in the vain hope that some of it will stick in the memory of a handful of visitors and we start to build a reputation for being a “happening” place.
By the way, went for dinner last night, decent restaurant, $379 for a couple. That’s the real issue right there.
You know what did stick in the minds of potential visitors? Bermudas penchant for removing or restricting already won human rights. It really paints Bermuda as a 4th world little republic.
“Bermudas penchant for removing or restricting already won human rights”
I assume you are referring to the rights of gay people. If so, if one looks at Bermuda’s history, it is difficult not to believe that the Bermuda Government does not consider gay people to be human.
I too was out for dinner last night, the last night of Restaurant Weeks for this year. But we were $440 for 4 people, so you must have had better wine or not ordered from the Restaurant Weeks menu.
As for the cost of things in Bermuda generally, it is not new. We priced ourselves out of the general tourist market 40 years ago or more.
yes and no. Regular menu, no excessive drinking and no dessert.