Brian Lara’s passion for golf runs just as deep as his love for cricket.Often when he’s out of the media spotlight the West Indies legend spends countless hours on the golf course refining his skills that seem to be improving with each passing year.“The last time I was in Bermuda my handicap was four and now it’s three and I don’t know why because I seem to be going out and my handicap is coming in,” Lara told The Royal Gazette.The record holder for the highest individual score in Test (400 not out) and first class (501 not out) cricket arrived in Bermuda yesterday and is scheduled to take part in today’s PGA Grand Slam of Golf Pro-Am at Port Royal where he holds honorary lifetime membership.“I’m looking forward to the Pro-Am and we will just see how things go,” Lara said. “It should be a great day and I also look forward to the tournament; walking around and getting close up to the professionals when they get into the serious business on Tuesday and Wednesday. I’m looking forward to walking on the fairways with them and having a chat and whatever.”Lara had been invited to this year’s Grand Slam by old pal Ernie Els who was forced to withdraw at the 11th hour due to an ankle injury.The last time the two men were together on local soil was two years ago when ‘The Big Easy’ won a second Grand Slam title at Port Royal.“I was here for this particular event two years ago and Ernie Els won,” Lara said. “But unfortunately Ernie is unable to make it this time through injury.”While some may view Els’ late omission as a setback, Lara prefers to look on the brighter side.“It’s still a great foursome,” he stressed. “I think you’ve got an elite group of golfers and they are all champions in their own right.“They are all Major winners and that’s what they bring to the table and that’s what you have here in Bermuda.“Unfortunately two (Major winners) can’t make it, but I think their replacements Keegan Bradley and Padraig Harrington are pretty worthy ones.“I think the event itself has outgrown the individuals and is something I’m sure Bermudians and people that are visiting the country at this time are looking forward to.”Lara was first introduced to local golf while here to play an exhibition cricket match in 2003. He returned the next year with the West Indies to prepare for the 2004 ICC Champions Trophy in England which the Windies won under Lara’s captaincy.“I fell in love with Bermuda’s golf courses when I first came here seven or eight years back and nothing has changed,” he said. “They are very unique in their own way.“When I first came here I would say Port Royal was third on my list. But now it’s definitely number one with the work they have done getting the course up to this standard. It’s a great golf course and even the professionals rave about it, especially that par three 16th. There are not much par threes like that in the world.”