The Bermuda Amateur Four-Ball Championships will celebrate its 60th birthday when the three-day event begins next Friday at Port Royal.

Jarryd Dillas will have a new partner as he bids for a third straight title and fifth overall when he teams up with newly-crowned Bermuda Amateur Stroke Play champion Will Haddrell for this year’s tournament.

Dillas lifted the Four-Ball trophy with Nick Mansell last year and in 2011 but Mansell recently relocated to the US.

Dillas has previously won the event with Robert Vallis (’09) and David Smith (’02).

The tournament has historically been one of the more popular events on the local golf calendar and is open to all amateur golfers with an official and up-to-date handicap index.

“The BGA is pleased to be holding the Bermuda Four-Ball Championships again this year and we’re very excited for the opportunity to roll out some of our new tournament initiatives for the 2013/14 season,” said BGA administrator, Gary Venning.

“Alex Madeiros and Port Royal have been great in helping us prepare for the tournament and we’re happy to announce a significant reduction in the entry fee from a year ago.”

The tournament is a 54-hole better-ball stroke play event for teams of two, played at 90 and 95 percent of course handicap for men and women, respectively.

Teams can choose to enter in one of three divisions — men’s championship, men’s first flight, or women’s championship.

“It’s not often in tournament golf that you’re able to compete with a team-mate, so it makes for a nice change and definitely brings a different dynamic into play,” continued Venning.

“In addition, because the event is being held so soon after the PGA Grand Slam, players will also benefit from the course being in great tournament condition.”

The Four-Ball is one of Bermuda’s oldest national amateur championships.

The inaugural event was played in 1953, which means next weekend will mark the 60th anniversary of the men’s competition. The first women’s tournament was held in 1977.

Venning said the event had “always been a highly coveted prize among the local golfing fraternity, with many of the island’s most recognisable players having lifted the trophy over the years.”

Bill Pitt Jr holds the record for most wins in the men’s championship with six, while

former amateur, turned professional, Judithanne Astwood-Outerbridge, has won the women’s title an unprecedented nine times.

The deadline for entries is next Monday and the entry fee is $450 per team ($225 per person), inclusive of cart.

Port Royal and eligible BJGA members have been offered a reduced fee of $150 per person.

The first round of the tournament will begin at 7.30am next Friday with a prize presentation to immediately follow the completion of the final round on Sunday, November 10.

“This year’s event will begin Friday morning with a split-tee start. By taking advantage of the clocks going back and starting off the first and 10th tees, we’re hoping to provide those players with work commitments more of an opportunity to participate in the tournament,” said Venning.

“We will also be introducing a pace of play policy, which we trust will further enhance the tournament experience and improve the overall enjoyment for all participants.”

For more information, or to request an entry form, please visit the BGA website at www.bermudagolf.org, or contact the BGA Office on 295-9972, or at info@bermudagolf.org