The Bermuda Golf Association, Bermuda Professional Golfers Association and tournament officials have announced the local qualifying event for the PGA Bermuda Championship will take place at Port Royal Golf Course on October 13 and 14.

The 36-hole individual strokeplay event is open to local professional and amateur players, with three qualifiers going on to gain spots in the island’s second PGA Tour event, scheduled for October 26 to November 1.

“We are ecstatic that once again the BGA and BPGA have secured the right to host a local qualifier that will enable three golfers in Bermuda to fulfil their dreams and participate in a PGA Tour event,” Craig Brown, the BGA president, said.

During the 2019 Qualifier at Port Royal Golf Course, former Korn Ferry Tour player Michael Sims, amateur Jarryd Dillas and teenager Kenny Leseur finished as joint medallists at five over par, while Daniel Augustus, a first alternate, qualified for the tournament on a sponsor exemption.

The four golfers joined Dwayne Pearman, also a sponsor exemption, to make history last October as the first Bermudians to compete in a PGA Tour event. Despite their strong effort before a home-town crowd, none managed to make the cut to the weekend.

“Last year’s local qualifier proved to be an exciting prospect for the local golf scene,” Scott Roy, the BPGA president, said.

“As a community, we are thrilled the tournament will proceed and we wish to thank those associated for providing us the opportunity to qualify. I know there will be much anticipation as we build towards October.”

Entries are open to professional golfers, amateur golfers and applicants for reinstatement.

To be eligible to compete in the local qualifying event, participants must meet the following criteria: possess Bermudian status, be in good standing with the BGA and BPGA, and not subject to any disciplinary process or sanction of either association. Amateurs must have an up-to-date handicap index, or equivalent handicap issued by an international body of golf, not exceeding 1.4 under the USGA Handicap System.