It?s not quite the Grand Slam of Golf . . . but in hockey terms, it?s pretty big.

Bermuda has been chosen to host a three game play-off series between the USA and Mexico for qualification to next year?s Pan American Games in Brazil.

And the event, in early March, will mark the first time since the installation of the Astroturf pitch at the National Sports Centre that the Island has hosted a major international hockey competition.

While the USA and Mexico will battle it out in three games between March 5 and 8 for the final Games qualifying spot, the occasion will allow Bermuda to host senior umpires, match technical delegates as well as a variety of senior Pan American Hockey Federation and USFHA officials.

?This is obviously the first international competition that we will be hosting on the Astroturf facility and is an enormous opportunity for us to showcase the pitch and our Island, and demonstrate our ability to host such events,? said Justin Freisenbruch, president of the Bermuda Hockey Federation.

?I have no doubt that we are up to the task and this will lead to further invitations for us to host international competition.

?At the same time, it is a chance for all of us to see some high class hockey, to get a taste of the skill level and the intensity that we can aspire to.

?I?m very much hopeful that some of our players ? juniors in particular ? and officials will have the opportunity to interact with the US and Mexico when they are here to get even closer high-level exposure.?