And The Winner Is...

Golf fans looking for a little drama at this year’s Masters in Augusta National certainly got it—and fortunately it had nothing to do with Tiger Woods' girlfriends. With a flawless final-round 67 for a 16-under-par total of 272, Phil Mickelson won his third green jacket yesterday, which means the repeat champion is the first invitee to this year’s PGA Grand Slam of Golf at Bermuda’s own Port Royal Golf Course. What? You’ve never heard of the Grand Slam? Held each autumn at the end of the PGA and European tours, the PGA Grand Slam of Golf is a two-day tournament featuring the winners of that season’s four Major championships: the Masters, British Open, U.S. Open and the PGA Championship. Last year it was won by U.S. Open Champion Lucas Glover (see above), who wowed the crowed with his final approach on the 18th hole to defeat Angel Cabrera, Stewart Cink and Y.E. Yang (to watch it check out this short video I shot and edited last year). But alas, today is all about Phil and his stunning Masters victory. And what a win it was. His performance on the back nine was particularly impressive, like his laser-guided shot on 13, which he squeezed through a four-foot opening between two pine trees only to land it four feet from the pin at a distance of 207 yards away. If his play in October is anything like yesterday’s performance at Augusta, then the English Sports Shop better start sizing up Phil for his pink jacket as soon as possible.

And The Winner Is...

Remember when I told you about how you could win a five-night vacation to The Reefs Hotel & Club back in February? How all you had to do was write a short story about your favorite memories of Bermuda and/or the Reefs hotel to score a trip to the luxurious Southampton resort? Well the votes are in and the people have spoken. Garnering more than one-third of over 3,000 votes was the winning story by Tim Finnegan, a Massachusetts man who wrote a touching tale about his parents who honeymooned in Bermuda 42 years ago. Feel free to read it on the Reefs' website but here’s the gist: Tim’s parents, who first stayed at the Reefs over four decades ago, have lived a life of hardship, having six kids, some of them ill, some of them taken unexpectedly. And because of their unceasing dedication to their family—i.e. constantly putting their children’s needs ahead of their own—the pair have barely taken a vacation since. So Tim wrote in on their behalf, petitioning for his parents who are very much in need of a sunny break. Nice, right? Best of all there were two winners—Audrey Bennett, also from Massachusetts, who was the one lucky voter chosen for a second five-night stay. If all of this excitement is causing extreme Bermuda-envy then why not try a stay at the hotel yourself? Take advantage of inexpensive shoulder season airfare and this fantastic “Spring Fling” package just announced by The Reefs Hotel & Club: Four nights in an ocean-view room with your very own private balcony or patio; breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner for two daily; a three-day bus/ferry pass; roundtrip airport transfers; and champagne upon arrival. With taxes and fees the package costs just $2,465 and is valid for travel from April 1 through April 30. Considering a four-night stay in an ocean view room costs around $2,100 if booked ala carte, it’s one heckuva deal. And yes, that will be the beach you'll be sipping rum swizzles on. Happy vacationing!