Nick Jones fulfilled his ambition of earning a spot on the Advocates Professional Golf Association Tour after being granted full exemption to compete at that level next season.

The local professional was granted the opportunity after finishing tied for fifth on his debut in the Butterfield Bermuda APGA Championship at Port Royal Golf Course this week.

“I am over the moon with excitement and honoured to represent Bermuda and myself in the upcoming APGA season,” Jones told The Royal Gazette.

“I feel as if I have a clear road in front of me where and I can concentrate my efforts and hold my own in a very competitive setting.

“I watched the focus and drive of the APGA players first hand with their exercise regimen and their mental toughness, which are skills I hope to learn and improve on.

“The first event in February will most likely be at the famous TPC Sawgrass with the iconic 17th hole island green, which shows the level of competition I am going to face in the 2024 season.”

Jones held a share of the lead heading into the second and final round of the 36-hole tournament, reduced to 27 holes owing to the adverse weather, before falling slightly off the lead pace on his stroll around the par-71 course.

“I played well and I am happy where my game is and looking forward to next year,” he added.

“I hit the ball really well on the back nine but with the wet conditions I left a lot of putts out there.”

While he is looking forward to the wonderful opportunity, the 33-year-old has his work cut out obtaining funding to travel and compete at APGA events in the United States.

“The biggest hurdle I have in front of me now is raising the sponsorship I will need to fund the travel and expenses of the tour because it’s a tour that is based in California,” Jones said.

“The travel will be long and tedious, however, nothing will come in the way of me playing this season.

“I plan on playing every event no matter the cost, so I can live my dream of playing golf around the world and competing and meeting golfers from around the globe who share my passion.”

Jones qualified for the event after securing one of the three available spots up for grabs at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship local qualifier at Port Royal in November.

Also flying the island’s banner was Chaka DeSilva and Arriek Douglas, with DeSilva finishing thirteenth at eight over and Douglas nineteenth at 13 over among the field of 21 players.

Jones, who made his debut in the Butterfield Bermuda Championship last year, now brings the number of Bermudians showcasing their talents on the APGA Tour to two as compatriot Daniel Augustus also competes at that level.

Fellow professional Augustus has finished runner-up twice on the tour since taking up residence in the United States, where he has also achieved nine victories on the Moonlight Tour.

American Michael Herrera won this week’s APGA season ending Butterfield Bermuda APGA Championship by two shots with fellow compatriots Chase Johnson and Aaron Beverly finishing tied for second to round off the podium.

Californian Herrera secured the $15,000 winner’s purse and the sole spot up for grabs at next year’s Butterfield Bermuda Championship at Port Royal.

“To be able to come out and shoot in the red, with the conditions we had, is a great test and I am very pleased with my two rounds,” Herrera said.

The APGA aims to bring greater diversity to the game of golf by staging tournaments, player development programmes and mentoring programmes.