The Bermuda Golf Association has announced the expansion of its Operation 36 programme in an effort to provide new pathways for aspiring players.

After the successful launch of the junior programme in September, which featured 50 students participate at Ocean View, initiatives will also be run at Port Royal Golf Club and Turtle Hill.

The upcoming month-long Ladies Programme launches at Turtle Hill on Sunday, with a second cohort beginning at Port Royal in March. Both are open to players of all levels, including beginners.

The game has seen more women join in recent years but the sport still shows a male majority, with women making up less than 20 per cent of membership at local clubs.

For younger players, Operation 36 has expanded its reach and will now also be on offer at all three clubs. General classes, open to all, will also be launching soon at Turtle Hill and Port Royal.

The Operation 36 programme, which usually costs $350 a semester in the United States, is being offered locally at a subsidised BGA rate of $250 for a ten-week term – with further financial support potentially on offer for those who need it. Adult programmes will be offered at the traditional $350 per term rate.

This programme comes as part of the BGA’s National Golf Plan, which aims to develop the grass roots game with a view to creating interclub junior leagues and interschool competitions.

“The Bermuda Golf Association is committed to developing the game of golf across the island,” said Craig Brown, the president.

“The Operation 36 Pilot programme is a joint-venture coaching development initiative with the BPGA and industry partners in an effort to provide grass roots and golf programming at the club level for all levels.

“The addition of these two facilities represents phase two of our pilot programme. The vision will be to see the programme grow across the island and introduce a junior league team structure as the programme develops.”

Those sentiments were also echoed by Ebonie Cox, Golf Development Officer at the BGA.

“We are delighted to be creating new pathways into golf for those who might otherwise not have had the opportunity,” she said.

“Golf is an incredible game that can be enjoyed your entire life and we want to empower those who have always wanted to try it to give it a go at last.”

Scott Roy, Director of Golf at Turtle Hill, is excited to now be offering the programme.

“Our island prides itself on having more golf courses per square mile than anywhere else in the world and we look forward to having more golfers per square mile, too,” he said.

“Turtle Hill Golf Course at Fairmont Southampton is proud to be hosting Op 36 golf programmes to encourage the grass roots of the game.”

• For more information or how to sign up, e-mail the BGA at info@bermudagolf.org. Those interested in joining programmes at Turtle Hill can contact scott.roy@fairmont.com or at Port Royal, slambert@bermudagolf.bm