Good News, Bad News

Interested in attending this year's PGA Grand Slam of Golf at Port Royal Golf Course in Southampton, Bermuda? If so, the PGA just announced a sweet new deal. First up, your good news: Buy one ticket to the season-ending tournament, featuring the winners of golf's four major championships and you'll get one ticket of equal value free (for example, if buy one Monday ticket you'll get one Monday ticket free; if you buy one three-day pass, you'll get one three-day pass free). But what's the catch, you say? Here's your bad news: Tickets must be purchased on Thursday, October 13 at the Washington Mall in downtown Hamilton from 11am to 3pm, which means all of you golf fans currently not living on the island are out of luck. Score one for Bermuda, I guess. For details, check out bermuda.com's coverage of the PGA Grand Slam of Golf's latest deal.

This Just In

Interested in attending the 2011 PGA Grand Slam of Golf at beautiful Port Royal Golf Course in Southampton, Bermuda? Tickets are now officially on sale for all you golf lovers out there and this year's tournament is sure to be a good one. Featuring an all-rookie field including Masters champion Charl Schwartzel of South Africa, U.S. Open champion Rory McIlroy and Open champion Darren Clarke both from Northern Ireland, and from the United States, PGA champion Keegan Bradley, the three-day tournament begins on October 17 and will be televised to millions live on TNT (if you can't make it to sunny Bermuda, of course). It's $50 to attend the entire event (including the pro-am on day one) or $20 a ticket for each of the competition days. And if you're 17 or younger, admission is free when accompanied by an adult ticket-holder. Wanna check out championship golf in paradise? Then purchase tickets at Port Royal's pro shop or by contacting To-A-Tee (441/295-4640, pgagrandslamofgolf.com). You know you wanna watch someone don Bermuda's famed pink jacket (that's Ernie Els, from last year's tournament, if you're wondering).

No Wilt In Bradley

Alright, fine. I lifted that deliciously punny headline from the official PGA Championship website, but it was just too darn good to pass up. No Wilt in Bradley? Well done PGAers. But let's get to the meat of the story, shall we? In case you're clueless as to who Mr. Bradley is and how this has anything to do with Bermuda let us take a trip in the wayback machine beginning with this video I shot and hosted at Port Royal Golf Course from last year's PGA Grand Slam of Golf. In addition to watching me drink multiple Dark n' Stormies, you'll see why Port Royal is the island's premier golf course and certainly one worthy of hosting the Grand Slam, a season-ending tournament featuring the winners of golf's four major championships. Which brings us to that witty headline, since virtual unknown Keegan Bradley just won the 93rd PGA Championship in a thrilling three-hole playoff, earning a spot in this year's PGA Grand Slam of Golf at Port Royal in Bermuda. Makes sense now, right? The 25-year-old rookie will join Masters champion Charl Schwartzel, U.S. Open champion Rory McIlroy and British Open champion Darren Clarke as they play the two-day tournament at Port Royal on October 18 & 19 (televised live on TNT). So, congrats Keegan Bradley and all of golf's 2011 major champions! Here's hoping there's enough Black Seal rum for all of us.

The Kid Is Coming To Bermuda

Leave it to a 22-year-old wunderkind to shake up the Tiger-less PGA—because that's just what Rory McIlroy did at the U.S. Open this weekend, earning his first major championship and an invitation to the PGA Grand Slam of Golf at Port Royal Golf Course in Bermuda. If you're a golf fan or even if you're not, his decisive win was an amazing record-breaking feat: The Northern Irishman set a U.S. Open scoring record with an unbelievable four-day total of 16-under-par 268 and by leading the entire tournament from day one, McIlroy is one of six golfers in history to claim a wire-to-wire championship. Which really just means Masters Champion Charl Schwartzel will have his work cut out for him when he tees up alongside the young champ at the Grand Slam in October. Interested in attending the three-day golf tournament yourself? Then check out this short video I shot, edited and hosted live from Port Royal last year. Fore!

The Grand Slam Is Back!

This just in: The PGA Grand Slam of Golf—a season-ending tournament featuring the winners of golf’s four major championships—will return to Port Royal Golf Course in Southampton, Bermuda for the next two years. “The PGA of America is honored to continue the PGA Grand Slam of Golf tradition on the island of Bermuda through 2012 at the Port Royal Golf Course,” said PGA of America President Allen Wronowski. “Bermuda has embraced the PGA Grand Slam of Golf over the past several years, delivering unmatched hospitality and community support for golf’s elite visiting foursome.” An elite foursome indeed. Last year’s tournament featured PGA Champion Martin Kaymer, U.S. Open Champion Graeme McDowell, 2001 PGA Chamption David Toms and three-time major winner Ernie Els, who won the 2010 Grand Slam trophy and the coveted Pink Jacket. The year before? Port Royal welcomed Lucas Glover, Stewart Cink, Angel Cabrera and Y.E. Yang, so clearly the Slam brings golf’s biggest names (if indeed they accept the PGA’s invitation to play; I’m talking to you Phil Mickelson). This year’s tournament will be played on October 18 and 19, but in case you can’t wait until the Fall to see what the hubbub is all about, be sure to watch the above video for a guided tour of Port Royal Golf Course by yours truly. Turn up your speakers, sit back and enjoy.

Live From Port Royal

It's been an interesting two days at the 2010 PGA Grand Slam of Golf at Port Royal Golf Course in Bermuda. U.S. Open Champion Graeme McDowell hit a ball while standing barefoot in a lake on the 17th hole, PGA Champion Martin Kaymer spent most of his time on the beach (ya know, in the bunkers). 2001 PGA Champion David Toms shocked the gallery by pitching in from the fringe. Twice. And three-time major champion Ernie Els wowed the crowed with a tremendous birdie on 16 and a triumphant march to victory two holes later. I'll have a full report from the event shortly, but in the meantime, check out this video I shot and edited from Port Royal. As you'll see, it's one of the greatest golf courses anywhere in the world and not just because the bartenders serve a mean Dark n' Stormy (but they do, as you'll soon see). Sit back, turn up your speakers and watch as I tour Bermuda's finest golf course.

So Much For An Awesome Foursome

The PGA Grand Slam of Golf—a 36-hole tournament that tees off next Monday at Port Royal Golf Course in Bermuda—just got some very bad news from one of its star players. According to multiple sources including the PGA, Golf Digest and the Press Association, British Open Champion Louis Oosthuizen has pulled out of the tournament citing an ankle injury. Said a statement on the South African’s website: “Louis turned on his ankle while he was in South Africa for Charl Schwartzel’s wedding. He was doing some hunting during the trip and stepped in a pothole and damaged ligaments in his left ankle.” You just can’t make this stuff up. To make matters worse, Oosthuizen has been replaced by David Toms, a Shreveport, Louisiana resident who hasn’t collected a major victory in nearly a decade (his only title being the 2001 PGA Championship). If Toms’ PGA blog is any indication, clearly the 43-year-old golfer is thrilled to receive the elite tournament nod. Heck, if I was invited to compete on a beautiful island for a piece of a guaranteed $1.35 million purse I’d be pretty stoked too. But considering the PGA Grand Slam of Golf was recently dissed by Masters Champion Phil Mickelson—who turned down Port Royal’s invitation even after I wrote an impassioned open letter to persuade him to compete in Bermuda—this is the latest blow for the exclusive year-ending event. Which all just means we’ll be seeing U.S. Open Champion Graeme McDowell, PGA Champion Martin Kaymer, three-time major champion and Mickelson replacement Ernie Els and the aformentioned David Toms compete on Monday. Dear Ernie: It looks like the pot is all yours for the taking.

Ouch! Phil Disses Bermuda

So much for Mickelson. Despite my last ditch effort to get the Masters champion to Bermuda—an open letter to Phil explaining why he should come play the PGA Grand Slam of Golf at Port Royal—Lefty has officially shut the door on any hope of seeing him in October. According to multiple reports across the web, Mickelson is choosing not to play the Grand Slam because of “a hectic late-season schedule and a diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis,” so says ESPN’s Golf Blog. I understand if the guy is hurt, but the whole thing sounds fishy to me. After all, Mickelson is slated to play the Ryder Cup on October 1 plus two events in Asia before calling the season quits. Which begs the question: Why does Phil hate Bermuda? For starters let’s consider Rex Hoggard’s reasons on the Shag Bag, a Golf Channel blog that suggests, among other reasons, that Mickelson’s skipping the Slam because, “the San Diego Chargers are at home that week, Tiger Woods plans on being in the gallery and he doesn’t look good in Bermuda shorts.” Possible, but my guess is that he’s really not into beautiful island destinations less than two hours from most east coast gateways. Whatever. Looks like I’ll be cheering for Ernie Els this year.

An Open Letter to Phil Mickelson

Dear Phil,

It’s been widely reported that you have yet to accept Bermuda’s invitation to play this year’s PGA Grand Slam of Golf, which will be held on October 18-20 at Port Royal Golf Course in Southampton. Bermuda’s own Royal Gazette reported that you might not come despite winning this year's Masters—a move which according to some, may doom the tournament’s chances of ever returning to the island—as did pundits on Golf Digest’s Local Knowledge blog and on Golf TV earlier this week. Everyone’s talking, Phil, but no one really knows what you’re gonna do. So in case you’re still on the fence about joining Graeme McDowell, Luis Oosthuizen and Martin Kaymer at this year’s Grand Slam in Bermuda here are a few reasons why you should play Port Royal this October.

The course is that good. There may be seven golf courses on Bermuda but Port Royal is easily the island’s finest with sweeping ocean vistas, breathtaking tropical landscapes and one of the greatest holes in all of golf. Originally designed in 1970 by world-renowned architect Robert Trent Jones Sr., the course recently underwent a $14.5 million renovation spearheaded by original design team member Robert Rulewich. The result? TifEagle greens for a consistent roll, tranquil new lakes supported by a state-of-the-art irrigation system and stunning Atlantic Ocean views from nearly every hole. The course was also extended by 281 yards—now at a total of 6,842 yards, it’s Bermuda’s longest and most challenging course. If that’s not enough to get you on a plane then consider teeing up on Port Royal’s signature hole, the 238-yard par-three 16th, with nothing but the Atlantic between the tee and the pin. Wanna see it for yourself? Then check out this video I shot and edited from last year’s Grand Slam.

Guaranteed cash. This is not a winner takes all tournament, so whether you come in first or last, you’re guaranteed a payday. First place wins you $600,000, second gets $300,000, third nets $250,000 and fourth earns $200,000. Not too shabby for two day’s work.

Veggie dishes at House of India. Reports have been flying about how you’ve recently turned vegetarian to help battle your arthritis. Congrats! Although I’m sure it’s been hard staying away from your beloved burgers. Don’t let a tournament keep you away from your new diet—just have one of your underlings bring you take out from House of India, where you can get some of the best Indian food in all of Bermuda. I love the mixed vegetable curry, saffron rice and warm garlic naan but there are lots of great veggie dishes to choose from. And if all else fails you can always grab a salad at Port Royal’s ocean view restaurant, 64º (try the arugula with vanilla poached pear, blue cheese and caramelized pecans; it’s to die for).

You look great in pink. We all know what a staunch supporter you’ve been of your wife and mother’s battles with breast cancer. I sincerely applaud your strength and courage and wish your family the best, but just think of the exposure you could give to this horrible disease if you were to don Bermuda’s famed pink jacket after winning it all. Forget about ribbons. This is a pink blazer from the English Sports Shop we’re talking about. It looked great on Lucas Glover last year and it’ll look even better on you.

The crystal trophy was yours in 2004. It can be yours again. 'Nuff said.

Sincerely,

David LaHuta

Where Art Thou Phil?

It looks like Bermuda’s own Ruth O’Kelly-Lynch—a local reporter at the Royal Gazette—has been stirring the global pot of golf media these days. Her recent article titled “Grand Slam on its last legs?” has been picked up and commented on by Golf Digest’s Local Knowledge blog and by Golf TV, both of which agree with the reporter’s theory that if the PGA Grand Slam of Golf’s biggest draw doesn’t accept his invitation this year (that’s Masters champion Phil Mickelson if you’re wondering) the tournament may not return to Bermuda. Reports O’Kelly-Lynch: “When asked if [the tournament] would be back next year Dr. Brown [Bermuda's premier] said: ‘We hope so. The PGA is working hard to make sure we have a marquee name for this year's tournament. I would probably have bet my house that we would have had Tiger [Woods] within the four-years and I would have been wrong. We are in talks about next year but we are going to wait and see what happens this year. If we don't get a good deal this year we will have to renegotiate.’” It’s an unfortunate report considering the year-end tournament is such an anticipated event on the global golf calendar. Sure, we’d all love to see Phil tee one up on Port Royal’s 16th hole, where there’s nothing but the turquoise Atlantic between the tee and the pin, but if he doesn’t come it’s hardly a deal-breaker. Should Mickelson decline the event to which Graeme McDowell (U.S. Open), Luis Oosthuizen (British Open) and Martin Kaymer (PGA Championship) have also been invited, an offer would be given to runner up Tiger Woods. Assuming he’d also decline, an invitation would then be extended to Ernie Els, a formidable champion with three major titles under her belt. No doubt we’d all love to see Phil in Bermuda—and really, Phil, if you're reading, you should definitely come play; if you're still unsure then tune in tomorrow when I explain to you why—but I say the tournament is way stronger than one player alone.

Cabrera Loses...Twice

Angel Cabrera must be especially teed off this morning. Not only did the Masters champion lose by five strokes to U.S. Open champion Lucas Glover at the 2009 PGA Grand Slam of Golf—a difference of $300,000—but the Argentine was disqualified from the Castello Masters in Spain, an event he tried to play nearly 24 hours after losing at Port Royal. So why the DQ? According to the Associated Press, Cabrera’s flight was delayed from Bermuda due to strong winds at L.F. Wade International Airport, an unfortunate although common occurrence that most of us islanders have dealt with at some time or another. Not even a private helicopter upon landing could get Cabrera to the course on time, all but ruining his chances to collect a piece of the $2 million purse. If his gruff treatment of his Grand Slam caddie is any indication, I have a feeling El Pato gave the pilot, and anyone else who would listen, a good piece of his mind. His beloved nickname may mean "The Duck" in Spanish, but my vote is for El Toro. I'm guessing you know what that one means.

VIDEO: Lucas Glover Wins!

The 2009 PGA Grand Slam of Golf ended with a roar on Port Royal's 18th hole, where U.S. Open champion Lucas Glover won the tournament by a commanding six strokes. Turn up the volume and watch his final approach here, or to see it in fullscreen, watch it on YouTube. It'll be another year before the Grand Slam returns to Bermuda, but until then, the famed Pink Jacket is Glover's and Glover's alone—a worthy champion of a world-class tournament.

VIDEO: Port Royal's 16th Hole

Widely regarded as one of the greatest holes in golf—and certainly one of the most scenic—Port Royal’s sixteenth hole proved a worthy challenge at yesterday’s opening day of play at the 2009 PGA Grand Slam of Golf. The 235-yard, par three looked as stunning as ever, but not before claiming two bogeys (Angel Cabrera and Lucas Glover) and two well-earned pars (Stewart Cink and Y.E. Yang). For an exclusive look at how yesterday’s 16th hole played for all four champions watch this short video, shot and edited by yours truly. Make sure to turn up the volume and to view it on fullscreen, watch it on YouTube. When you're done—and if you've got a few minutes to noodle around—check out this game that simulates Port Royal's signature hole (click on the right side that says "Slam Dunk" and see if you can get it on the green). After round one, Lucas Glover leads the pack with six under par. Will he hold on to win his first PGA Grand Slam of Golf and Bermuda's very own Pink Jacket? Tune in tomorrow to find out!

VIDEO EXCLUSIVE: PGA Grand Slam Champions Clinic

The big story from yesterday’s pro-am round at the PGA Grand Slam of Golf was the weather: Thick sheets of rain blanketed Port Royal golf course for the majority of the day making the informal, pre-tourney tournament all but impossible to complete. The good news is the rain held off long enough to capture all four champions demonstrating the shots that won them major titles in 2009 on Port Royal's 17th green. PGA champion Y.E. Yang recreated his chip-in from the fringe at the 14th hole in Hazeltine, where he upset Tiger Woods to become the first Asian golfer to win a major. Next, although he didn't find many bunkers while competing at Bethpage Black in June, U.S. Open champion Lucas Glover swung from the sand, a shot he’s remembered for holing at the Disney Classic where he won his first PGA Tour title in 2005. British Open champion Stewark Cink drained a fifteen-foot putt, reminiscent of his birdie on the 72nd hole at Turnberry, where he eventually won the Claret Jug in a playoff against golf legend Tom Watson. And finally, Masters Champion Angel Cabrera set up 95 yards from the pin demonstrating how to spin the pitching wedge, a precision short game he gave much credit to for winning him the green jacket in April. For an exclusive look at yesterday’s clinic, click the play button on the video above. (Production note: the color's a bit off so you can blame my camera, not Bermuda). In the meantime stay tuned for continued updates from the 2009 Grand Slam of Golf. Official tournament play starts today at 10:30 am and the skies are looking bright and clear. To the links!

SPECIAL REPORT: PGA Grand Slam of Golf

There’s been quite a buzz surrounding this year’s PGA Grand Slam of Golf, a two-day tournament that begins tomorrow after an informal pro-am round today. Not only will it feature four of the best golfers in the world—including Masters champion Angel Cabrera, British Open champion Stewart Cink, U.S. Open Champion Lucas Glover, and PGA Champion Y.E. Yang—but it’s being played at Port Royal, Bermuda’s Robert Trent Jones-designed course that recently underwent a $14.5 million makeover. With TifEagle greens, a state-of-the-art irrigation system and water views from nearly every hole it’s arguably Bermuda’s finest course, one that will be on full display when the respective champions tee off tomorrow morning (watch the tournament on TNT from 4-7pm EST on Tuesday and 5-9pm EST on Wednesday). In the meantime keep reading Bermuda Shorts over the next three days for special news and video updates from the course. Today’s highlight? The four Major Champions will be hosting a short game clinic on the 17^th green, to be broadcast on the Golf Channel later this evening. For exclusive video clips, keep it right here. Fore!