It was a great day to promote Bermuda and Hollywood star Michael Douglas played his part wearing Bermuda shorts with a pink lobster pattern.

Mr. Douglas wore his outfit as he played alongside some star golfers in a pro-am yesterday, before the players kick off the PGA Grand Slam today.

He was there with local celebrities and politicians in front of hundreds of spectators at the Mid Ocean golf course, which is hosting the 25th Grand Slam for the first time.

At each hole, a group of marshals, in polo shirts and Bermuda shorts, guarded the players' golf ball, ensured no one came across the ropes and protected the players.

Dave Brinning, one of the volunteer marshals explained each player had a Policeman for security so their job is not to act as security guards.

"We are here to protect the player and his ball. If the ball lands in the crowd, we have to move the crowd away from the ball. We also ask people to be quiet during the shooting and putting."

The game began around 11 a.m. yesterday morning with three of the pros, US Open winner Angel Cabrera, British Open winner Padraig Harrington and Masters champion Zach Johnson, playing four holes with four teams.

The teams were comprised of five players including Premier Ewart Brown, whose wife Wanda caddied, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas, Michael Dunkley, Derrick Burgess, Nelson Bascome, TNT Commentators and invited guests.

Mr. Douglas wore navy blue Bermuda shorts with lobsters all over them while his wife wore pink, saying he was promoting Bermuda with his style of dress.

Each group began at a different tee on the course eventually playing at every hole from the first to the 18th.

Luke Watson, a seven-year old from Warwick Academy who wants to be a professional golfer, said he came to the tournament because he loves golf. "I came to watch Padraig Harrington. He signed the magazine for me," he said.

Other spectators included Charles Madeiros and Leo Barbosa, who have played golf almost all of their lives. They play at the Ocean View course twice a week and are members of the senior team.

"We were supposed to play today, but we came out to watch Angel (Cabrera)," Mr. Madeiros explained. "We were waiting for Tiger. He's my favourite player but we admire Angel. It's nice to be here. The highlight would have been Tiger. Unfortunately the tickets were bought so we have to make the most of it," he said.

Even though Mr. Madeiros and Mr. Barbosa enjoyed watching Mr. Cabrera the most, they both said former US Open winner Jim Furyk, who has replaced Tiger Woods in the tournament, had the best chance to win.

He was not playing yesterday as he was travelling in to Bermuda from the Far East.

Mark Leffler, an avid golfer and frequent visitor to the Island, said he thought Bermuda would look great on TV. The Grand Slam is being televised by TNT to an audience of more than 80 million.

"I think the course will look spectacular on TV with the water views and I think the greens will look better than the ones in Hawaii. I think the players will like the course because it will be a great challenge and they'll enjoy playing."

Mr. Leffler has visited the Island about 30 times and has played on every course in Bermuda and is a member of Mid Ocean, which he calls his favourite course.

When asked who he thinks will win, Mr. Leffler said: "I think Cabrera is the odds on favourite, but I like Padraig Harrington."

Another spectator, James Smith from Connecticut, couldn't believe how tough Bermudians were on the golfers. When Nelson Bascome was putting, Bermudians spectators yelled out, "Hit the ball politician".

Mr. Smith laughed and said he had never seen people be so critical of their politicians especially during sports.

The Grand Slam of Golf begins at 11 a.m. today and finishes on Wednesday with a total of $1.35 million in prize money.

* See more coverage in today's Sports section.