Some of the island’s brightest future prospects showcased their potential during the Bermuda Championship Junior Exhibition Clinic held at Port Royal Golf Course yesterday.

The event, which kicked off this week’s Bermuda Championship activities, was organised by the Bermuda Golf Association and Bermuda Professional Golfers Association and featured local golfers Michael Sims, Dwayne Pearman, Daniel Augustus, Jarryd Dillas and Kenny Leseur, who were on hand to offer advice to the enthusiastic youngsters.

“This is where I came to try out for junior golf 20-plus years ago, so it’s been nice to see so many kids out,” Dillas said.

“There a couple that we know, they are in the junior programme right now. There are a few that could be in the junior programme in a year or two, so I think it’s great.”

Augustus agreed. “This is what keeps the game growing, keeps the game going and we need more kids to get involved in Bermuda golf, so this was awesome,” he said. Sims was encouraged by the large turnout of youngsters that attended whose numbers exceeded 45.

“Always nice to see new blood coming into the game, it’s just exciting,” Sims said. “Hopefully it will inspire them to want to come out here and play.”

Pearman believes the future of Bermuda is in good hands.

“I saw a few of the kids out there that have a little potential,” he said. “I’m sure they enjoyed it and we enjoyed teaching them and showing them a few things.”

Leseur, who at the age of 15 is one of the youngest to play in a PGA Tour event, was also impressed by the potential of the young players.

“A lot of them had really good swings and have a lot of potential,” he said. “I was surprised by how well a lot of the kids hit the ball. It’s a good experience for these guys and I’m glad I was a part of it.”

Former local professional Kim Swan, who was the emcee for the event, believes the clinic inspired the youngsters.

“Today you saw a number of juniors out for the clinic and I think the Bermuda players did exceedingly well interacting with the youngsters,” Swan said.

“That’s the type of thing that will excite the next generation of golfers.”

Patrick Horgan III, the former PGA Tour player and multiple Bermuda Open and Gosling’s Invitational champion, added: “It warms my heart to see these young kids now falling in love with golf and be able to play and take it with them the rest of their lives.

“It was wonderful to see how many juniors turned out with their parents and our five Bermudians were great interacting with the kids.”