Inside the PGA Grand Slam: Three Bermuda Golf Pros Share Their Love for the Tournament -- and Bermuda
The PGA Grand Slam at Bermuda's Port Royal Golf Course
is an unforgettable event. And in 2011, four champions—Charl
Schwartzel, Rory McIlroy, Darren Clarke and Keegan Bradley—will converge
in Bermuda as one of the most fascinating foursomes in the sport.
Golf fanatics the world over cherish the
Grand Slam, but few have a deeper appreciation for the tournament than
the professionals who make it happen.
We chatted with three of Bermuda's most
prominent golf professionals—Andrew Brooks, Dwayne Pearman, and Alex
Madeiros—to get an inside look at golfing on "the rock" and this year's
Grand Slam. Even better, they shared a few tips to help you improve your
game.
Golfing in Bermuda: Tips from the Pros
Thursday, October 20, 2011
We recently chatted with three of Bermuda’s top golf
professionals—Andrew Brooks, Dwayne Pearman, and Alex Madeiros—about the
excitement surrounding this year’s PGA Grand Slam at Port Royal Golf Course and
also why golfing in Bermuda is so unique.
Combined, these three pros have 80-plus years of experience
on the course. Of course, we had to ask them for a little golf advice. They’ve
got strategies to share for improving your game—and even better, for improving
your game right here in Bermuda.
“From a player’s point of view, you’ve got to work the
fundamentals,” says Brooks, director of golf at Bermuda’s prestigious Port
Royal Golf Course. “No golfer can take away the importance of grip, stance,
posture, ball position and alignment. If players spent their time working on
the five basics, they would improve their games beyond recognition. You can
confuse the mind as much as you want, but it’s all in the set-up and all in the
structure.”
Port Royal pro Dwayne Pearman agrees. “The main thing is the
three keys of golf: ball position, the position at the top, and your grip. And
practice, practice, practice. Some people take lessons, but then they don’t
practice. You’ve got to practice.”
And if you’re coming here to golf,
Alex Madeiros, president and tournament director at golf-travel company To a
Tee Bermuda, has a few words of caution. “In
Bermuda, I think you have to be able to hit a lower ball,” he says. “You can’t
come in and just slide things into the green. Sometimes you have to play that
bump and run. Especially in the summertime, when the greens get a little
harder.”
About Bermuda’s tricky wind conditions, which make our
courses as challenging as they are gorgeous, Madeiros notes: “If you’re not a
wind-ball hitter, you’d best learn how to play into the wind. You have to learn
how to move the ball to the left and to the right. Play with the wind.”
And don’t forget the first
fundamental of golf: Make sure you have fun. “I have massive enthusiasm for the
game and what it stands for—rules, ethics, and good discipline,” Brooks says.
“There’s more to golf than knocking the ball around. The other thing I love
about the game is that it crosses so many bridges. You can play golf with
anyone, and no matter what language they speak, you’ll get to meet amazing
people.”
Missed our first two posts? Scroll down to read about why the pros
believe golfing in Bermuda is so unique and to hear their thoughts on this
year’s PGA Grand Slam.
Port Royal: Home of
the PGA Grand Slam and One of the Finest Public Courses in the World
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
When Andrew Brooks, director of golf at Bermuda's prestigious Port Royal Golf Course, first arrived for work here, the course was completing a $14.5 million renovation. Originally designed in 1970 by world-renowned architect Robert Trent Jones Sr., the newly renovated Port Royal is considered one of the world's premier courses. With its stunning views and incomparable play, it's no surprise that the PGA has chosen Port Royal as the home of the Grand Slam three years in a row and plans to continue holding the event there through 2012.
"It's one of the finest public courses in the world," Brooks says. "It's not just because of the aesthetics. It's because it's also a great players' course. You can play, enjoy, and be challenged."
This year, when the players roll in to Port Royal, they'll be welcomed by a course in top condition, says Dwayne Pearman, Port Royal's head pro. "The greens are putting well," he says. "If it stays calm, I think you'll see some 64s or 65s." But Pearman warns that rain before the tournament could make things "very challenging."
Few holes are as inspired as Port Royal's famous 16th: a 238-yard crescent-shaped beauty with nothing but the Atlantic Ocean between the tee and the pin. "It's a hole that players will never forget," Brooks says.
The Final Four
This year's tournament will feature some of the world's most prominent golfers.
Charl Schwartzel was the first champion to earn a spot in the tournament, after an incredible back-nine birdie streak at the Masters. He's the first Masters Champion to close with four consecutive birdies.
Rory McIlory became the second major champion to make the tournament, following his record-setting performance at the U.S. Open.
Darren Clarke grabbed the third spot after winning the Open Championship at Royal St. George's in England. The win made him the second consecutive major champion from Northern Island after McIlory's win earlier in the year.
Keegan Bradley became the fourth and final champion to qualify for the tournament after overcoming a triple bogey to win at the 93rd PGA Championship.
At stake for the foursome is $1.35 million in prize money, with the winner taking $600,000, second place $300,000, third place $250,000 and fourth place $200,000.
Organizers and enthusiasts are looking forward to an incredibly successful tournament. "I think with Rory coming, that'll attract the younger crowd," says Alex Madeiros, president and tournament director at golf-travel company To a Tee Bermuda. "And what Keegan, Charl, and Darren have been doing this year in golf is really, really great."
If you've never been to Port Royal, check out this interactive tour to see the course in all its beauty.
Check back tomorrow for some golf tips from the pros.
Bermuda: An Unforgettable Place to Golf
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
After more than 22 years in the business, Andrew Brooks, director of golf at Port Royal, has seen stunning courses all over the globe. But Bermuda's a special place to hit the links, he says, and that's a key reason why the PGA holds its most prestigious event here.
"Bermuda's not a golf destination—it's a stunning destination with golf," Brooks says. "There are seven [championship] courses, all with magnificent views. The atmosphere on the island, coupled with the hospitality of the people, makes golfing in Bermuda a special opportunity."
Dwayne Pearman, head pro at Port Royal, says Bermuda's courses are ideal for players at every skill level. "Bermuda is a special place overall," he says. "Our courses are really interesting and unique. For tourists who just want to come to play golf, the courses aren't too long. They're fun to play." For beginners, Pearman recommends the Fairmont Southampton Golf Club, an executive par 3 course, as a great place to hone your skills.
The best way to experience golf here is to try out a few courses yourself, says Alex Madeiros, president and tournament director at golf-travel company To a Tee Bermuda.
Be sure to check out Bermuda's Golf Around Getaway, a travel deal from $649 that includes three nights and three rounds of golf on some of the island's most popular courses.
Of course, no trip to Bermuda would be complete without visiting Port Royal—home to the biggest golf event of the year.
Check back tomorrow for an inside look at this year's PGA Grand Slam.