It's not that often a hard-working PGA professional gets to play with their members or their regulars. They're typically doing the work that makes golf more enjoyable: running a pro shop, shepherding events from conception to success, teaching golfers to play better. There's a lot PGA professionals do that most golfers don't notice, but almost all of it doesn't involve actually playing golf.
A new team championship, Bermuda 3s, aims to give PGA professionals an opportunity to travel to a stunning destination and enjoy -- instead of design and run -- a first-rate tournament experience with some of their friends and customers.
The concept, developed by former PGA of America CEO Joe Steranka and Honda Classic tournament director Ken Kennerly, pairs a PGA professional with three amateurs in a four-round team tournament in Bermuda. The net-handicap championship plays out from Oct. 22-25 on three Bermuda courses: the famous C.B. MacDonald-designed Mid Ocean Golf Club, Port Royal Golf Club and the Turtle Hill par-3 course, which hosts the final two rounds of the tournament.
There will be pooled team competitions from four regions of the world: the United States, Canada, continental Europe and Great Britain/Ireland. All told, there will be gold, silver and bronze metals awarded to the top three teams in each region based on their 72-hole net-best ball score.
The pros will also be competing for a purse based on the 72-hole aggregate score.
Goslings is a presenting sponsor of the event.
The event costs $12,500 per foursome, and the fee includes six days and five nights of single accommodations at the Fairmont Southampton hotel, as well flights from Wade International airport to Bermuda and golf course transfers. Breakfast, lunch and daily golf fees are covered, as are three reception-dinner functions.
The hope is to ultimately bring together pros and amateurs in a surreal, breathtaking environment, competing together in a fun tournament. With a format favorable to amateurs of all kinds and a program showcasing the beauty and hospitality of Bermuda, this event could be a great end-of-season trip for years to come.
