The Bermuda Golf Association, Bermuda Professional Golfers’ Association and tournament officials have announced that the local qualifier for this year’s Butterfield Bermuda Championship will be held on October 4 and 5 at Port Royal Golf Course.

The pre-tournament qualifying competition consisting of a 36-hole individual stroke-play event is open to local professional and amateur players.

Three Bermudian golfers will be offered qualifying spots to compete in the fourth annual PGA Tour event which will take place from October 27 to 30 at Port Royal.

Further to the three qualification spots into the Butterfield Bermuda Championship, those who place fourth, fifth and sixth will be granted exemption spots into the Butterfield Bermuda APGA Championship, which will be held on October 11 and 12 at the same course.

Those players will also be reserve alternatives for the Butterfield Bermuda Championship field, while those who finish seventh, eighth and ninth will be reserve alternatives for the Butterfield Bermuda APGA Championship.

“The Butterfield Bermuda Championship continues to give local golf an opportunity to grow and develop the game,” said Craig Brown, the BGA president. “We are excited this year to see an additional event with the APGA tournament providing more exposure in high-level competition.”

Last year’s local qualifier saw Michael Sims, Camiko Smith, Chaka DeSilva and Damian Palanyandi qualify to enter the field for the Butterfield Bermuda Championship.

Sims, carded two-over par 144 to earn his third start in the PGA Tour event as the top finishing Bermudian, winning by four strokes.

Camiko Smith was not far behind shooting six-over par to take the second spot, followed by Chaka Desilva at eight-over par with Damian Palanyandi claiming the fourth and final exemption spot at nine-over over par.

Entries will soon open to professional and amateur golfers. Eligibility to compete in the Butterfield Bermuda Championship local qualifier requires participants to meet criteria, including possessing Bermudian status and being in good standing with the BGA and BPGA and not subject to any disciplinary process or sanction of either association, while amateurs and applicants for reinstatement must have an up-to-date handicap index, not exceeding 1.4, under the World Handicap System.

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. Entries officially open Monday, September 12.

The tournament committee has recognised the current economic impact and decided to keep the entry fee to $150 for all competitors.

Any questions should be directed to info@bermudagolf.org or to the Bermuda Golf Association office on 441/295-9972.

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