They had to dodge the occasional misdirected ball as one or two non-golfing experts took to the fairways, but that didn't stop high-spirited crowds lapping up an entertaining opening day of the PGA Grand Slam yesterday.

With Michael Douglas mingling with fans in between shots and his golfing partner Premier Ewart Brown exchanging banter with spectators, there was plenty to enjoy even though the tournament proper doesn't tee-off until this morning.

A pro-am showpiece event — giving amateurs the chance to test their skills alongside the professionals at the luxurious Mid Ocean Club — whetted the appetite ahead of the serious action when four international stars will fight for the Grand Slam Championship.

The Premier, Mr. Douglas, Works Minister Derrick Burgess and international business boss David Ezekiel were among the non-professionals to grace the sun-soaked greens as thousands of onlookers gathered on the grass behind rope barriers.

"It's been a lot of fun," a beaming Dr. Brown told The Royal Gazette as he made his way to tee off at one of the latter holes.

"I've had some great conversations with (pro) Padraig Harrington. I told him whether he wins or not he's welcome in Bermuda. It's been fun; it's been a great afternoon."

The Premier said he had also been speaking to the PGA's chairman about "future possibilities" during the day.

It wasn't all plain sailing for the Premier on the field though. Following numerous practice swings and a bit of coaching at the 17th hole, Dr. Brown brought an awkward silence from the crowd by driving his ball straight into a cluster of trees a few yards in front of him.

On the next hole, spectators were advised to stand further back than normal as the Premier approached his shot perilously close to the edge of the fairway.

"Safety first ... I don't want to hurt anybody," smiled the Premier before an official quipped: "I better clear all of them out of the way for his shot."

The audience gasped and then cheered approval as Dr. Brown's ball whizzed over their heads, though not by much.

Regarding his performance, Regarding his performance, the Premier, who plays to a 16-handicap, stated: "I smile any time I get a break and can come out and play golf. I played all right, but I hit some shots that contributed to my team's performance, so we were happy."

Mr. Douglas, another 16-handicap, praised Harrington, stating: "Watching him sign autographs, his patience was inspirational. I wish a lot more of the players were here to watch him."

Mr. Ezekiel, chairman of the Association of Bermuda International Companies and the Mid Ocean Club captain, told this newspaper: "It's been amazing. All the pros were here early this morning; the champions' clinic was tremendous."

Pointing to the benefits to the Island, he continued: "We get a decent number of visitors coming out, but the television coverage is totally amazing.

"What people pay for two days of coverage like that ... it's probably the best money spent in terms of exposure. It lets people know not only about Bermuda's golf, but Bermuda in general."

Bermudian spectator Jeanette Viera said she was excited to watch Harrington, Jim Furyk, Trevor Immelman and Retief Goosen this week.

"I get to see these guys on the television. To see them here in person is amazing," she said.

Her friend Ann Morgan said: "It's good for Bermudians that we get this exposure."