Anniversary Of Bermuda’s 1984 Golf Victory
This week marks 40 years since Bermuda’s win in the 1984 World Cup of Golf Americas Zone Qualifying.
A spokesperson said, “This week marks the 40th anniversary of a historic victory for Bermuda in the 1984 World Cup of Golf, Americas Zone Qualifying, hosted at Castle Harbour Hotel & Golf Club.”
Kim Swan said, “In 1984 when we qualified for the World Cup of Golf, it gave us an opportunity as representatives of a tiny country, to compete against top professional golfers from countries around the world in a prestigious professional golf even.”
The spokesperson said, “Numerous world greats are former champions Jack Nicklaus [1963, 1964, 1966,1967, 1971, 1973], Arnold Palmer [1960, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1967], Seve Ballesteros [1976, 1977], Ben Hogan, Peter Thompson, Gary Player, Sam Snead, and many other greats as competitors.”
Mr. Swan said, “As a PGA European Tour player in the early 1980s, my colleagues on tour told me about the World Cup at that Bermuda would be eligible and I shared that knowledge with our Bermuda PGA. Thankfully our President and Executive Team followed up.”
The spokesperson said, “Bermuda actually sent a team [Kevin Benevides & Keith Smith] to the 1982 qualifying event in Puerto Rico with our President Terry Brannon. That relationship set the stage for Bermuda host in 1984.
“What a major achievement in golf for Keith Smith and Kim Swan. The pair practiced together as a team daily several weeks prior and made use of home field advantage. Both players were comfortable playing golf in Tuckers Town but they bonded as a team and rose to the occasion. The huge crowds that came out to support Team Bermuda were not disappointed.
“Much organization went into the staging of the professional event; Pete Sasso came to Bermuda to guarantee smooth fast green heights, the rough was difficult and ensured tight fairways.
“The event was a team effort but Tom Smack’s Castle Harbour team delivered a first class event. Castle Harbour Golf Professional Kevin Benevides was singled out for coordinating an artistic scoreboard that caught everyone’s attention.”
Former Secretary of the Bermuda PGA Mrs Josephine Cook said, “I much enjoyed the international aspect of the event. Also, I liked the involvement of the young people, some of whom made their career in golf.”
The spokesperson said, “The hosting of the 1984 World Cup of Golf Americas Zone Qualifying at Castle Harbour Hotel & Golf Club was a special moment for the Bermuda PGA to host an international professional golf event.
“The staging of a major professional golf event in Bermuda – was a collaborative effort between the Bermuda PGA, Castle Harbour Hotel and the International Golf Association [IGA] – captivated the Bermuda golf community. Notwithstanding Team Bermuda consisting of Kim Swan & Keith Smith – winning the qualifying tournament and advancing to Rome, Italy – the event elevated the status of the Bermuda PGA as the governing body for professional golf in Bermuda.
“We salute this 40th anniversary and give thanks for the forefathers of the Bermuda PGA that made this opportunity possible.”
Keith Smith & Kim Swan, Rome, Italy.
Bermuda Junior Golfers caddy for international teams.
Tom Smack Director of Golf, Kim Swan PGA European Tour, Pierre Roellinger, John Mason, PGA Business Leader & Philanthropist & Terrence Brannon [insert], President Bermuda PGA.
Teams formally parade to the closing ceremony.
