Tournament officials have confirmed that four Bermudian golfers will be offered qualification spots to compete in this year’s Bermuda Championship; the island’s third PGA Tour event.

The Bermuda Golf Association, Bermuda Professional Golfers Association and tournament officials have announced that the local qualifying event — a 36-hole individual strokeplay event, open to Bermudian professional and amateur players — will once again be hosted at Port Royal Golf Course on October 12 and 13.

In an increase from last year’s qualifying event, organisers have confirmed an extra qualification spot will be up for grabs, meaning the top four finishers will earn a place in the full event as part of the PGA Tour calendar, at Port Royal from October 25 to 31.

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

During last year’s qualifying event, Camiko Smith’s commanding play earned him the top stop, winning by five strokes at one-under-par 141.

With a number of players in close contention until the final hole, Michael Sims and Anthony Phipps also claimed their spots in the field in the Bermuda Championship by tying for second at four-over 146.

For the second year in a row, Sims went on to claim the low amateur in the main event, finishing on five over par after adding to his opening round of 73 with a 74.

Neither of the qualifiers made the 36-hole cut.

“The Bermuda PGA is again extremely excited for this opportunity to play with the best in the world,” added Scott Roy, the BPGA president.

“This qualifier has certainly produced the best Bermuda has to offer and I feel all players have represented themselves and our community well.

“To feel the energy the locals have in supporting our Bermudian talent is electrifying and we look forward to the same support and excitement.

“The Bermuda Championship over three years has gotten better and better and we are proud to be a part of this event and assist the championship to continue on that trend.”

Entries, which officially opened yesterday, are open to professional golfers, amateur golfers, and applicants for reinstatement. To be eligible to compete in the Local Qualifier, participants must meet certain requirements.

Among them, players must posses Bermudian status, must be in good standing with the BGA and BPGA, and not subject to any disciplinary process or sanction of either association.

Meanwhile, amateur players 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. A player’s present eight counting handicap scores cannot include scores from before October 1, 2020.

Full details of eligibility requirements, accommodation, and Conditions of Competition related to conducting the tournament under Covid-19 requirements will be available at the time of registration.

In direct response to the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the tournament committee has also reduced the qualifiers’ entry fee to $125.

Bermudians who are located overseas and intend to return for the Bermuda Championship Qualifier should be aware they will be need to fully comply with Covid-19 travel requirements as stipulated by the Government.

This would mean factoring in time potentially required for quarantine periods upon arrival as part of any individual player’s travel arrangements.

• For more information about the Bermuda Championship, visit www.bermudachampionship.com