Early Arrivals Begin For BDA-UK Golf FAM Trip
Early arrivals have begun for the BDA-UK Golf FAM Trip, with the event being held for its second year.
A spokesperson said, “The quest to build stronger ties between Bermuda, UK and Ireland entered its second year with early arrivals a week ahead already enjoying Bermuda.
“Steven Lambert, one of the Teaching Professionals at Port Royal is hosting the early arrivals to a friendly game of golf at Port Royal Golf Course, Home of the Butterfield Bermuda Championship.
“The FAM Trip grew out of former PGA European Tour player Kim Swan’s return to golf to accept a ceremonial honour to play in the 2022 Butterfield Bermuda Championship at Port Royal where he previously won three Bermuda Open Championships before 1984.”
Mr. Swan said, “In 2022 I was bestowed the honour to participate in the Butterfield Bermuda Championship I returned to the UK to prepare, golfing there for the first time in nearly forty years. That journey revealed a level of respect and deference for me via my trade in the United Kingdom existed that was humbling. Spending an extensive amount of time in the UK last winter I realized there was an untapped golf market opportunity.”
The spokesperson said, “This year’s event follows on from a 2023 FAM Trip supported by a partnership between the Bermuda Government Golf Courses, the BTA and Newstead Belmont Hills Golf Resort. This years event has attracted support from an array of Hotels and Golf Golf Course partners – Newstead Belmont Hills, Hamilton Princess, Grotto Bay, Cambridge Beaches, Rosewood Tuckers Point, St. Regis Five Forts, White Horse/Tobacco Bay and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport and has resulted in attracting twenty-five [25] attendees from overseas.”
Mr. Swan said, “I’m excited this vision is taking shape as it requires time and patience to build a market – I’m most appreciative of the assistance of Andrew Smith and his partner Dawn Wilson in Yorkshire for their support and encouragement. We are building on our Bermuda vs Yorkshire Golf Challenge at Forest Park, York, England last September 24,2023 which catapulted off our March 2023 FAM Trip.”
The spokesperson said, “With early arrivals we are introducing persons to other likeminded Bermudian golfers. A special initiative are linking the young golfer in the UK with Bermudians.”
Mr. Swan said, “We have special themes for each day of our FAM Trip:
- Day 1 Golf in Town of St George – discovering Bermuda’s Origin
- Day 2 Clyde Best Pro Am – celebrating an icon at Newstead Belmont Hills
- Day 3 Dai Rees Memorial Pro Am at Port Royal
- Day 4 40th Anniversary of World Cup Americas Zone Qualifying Win, 1984 Castle Harbour at Rosewood Tuckers Point
“We’ve been expressing the need to grow tourism in the winter months and feel it can be aided by courting golfers whose climate would enable them to appreciate a Bermuda golf experience. I’m excited to be leveraging my goodwill to help our beloved country.”
Samson Douglas, Jordan Swan, Fergus Montgomerie and Steven Lambert enjoy a game at Port Royal
Fergus Montgomerie arrives in Bermuda with a St. George’s Golf Club bag cover older than him. Nb. His Mother [a Scottish golfer] worked in Bermuda in early 1990′s
Rosemary Lockwood, Lady Captain, Wollaton Park Golf Club, former Bermuda resident Eve Montgomerie and Fergus Montgomerie of Golf Genius
