Camiko Smith has returned to Bermuda after getting a taste of life in the Middle East in the past few weeks.

Smith this year joined the Clutch Pro Tour, a feeder to the DP World Tour, and spent most of last month competing in three tournaments in Dubai and Oman, where the lush greens and fairways are surrounded by sand.

Smith enjoyed the experience and change in conditions from what he is used to in Bermuda as he attempts to raise his game.

“Middle East golf is amazing and it’s everything you see on TV and hear about,” Smith said.

“The golf courses are spectacular and in great condition, nothing is out of place, but it’s a little different. Missing fairways is not cool because you are in the desert after that. But it was a great experience and I’m happy I did it.”

Smith improved with every tournament, making the cut in the last of his three events. The 39-year-old feels the chance to remain in one place for a longer period of time brought improvement

“Leaving Bermuda, travelling and playing, my body had to play catch up, especially at that level,” Smith said.

“You have to be on your p’s and q’s pretty quick. My first two events, I didn’t play bad, I just had to find myself. Before the third event, I told myself that I knew how to play golf, that I’d played a PGA Tour event three times, and I started playing better.

“I didn’t finish the second round as I wanted but I still made the cut, which going forward is positive. I have to keep building and there is a bit of work to do sharpening up my strategy and play. But all in all, I’m pleased with how I played and looking forward to getting better.

“Some of the guys on this tour have played on the Asian tour, the DP World Tour and Challenge Tour. It’s elite competition.”

Playing against top-class players consistently is something Smith wants to achieve this year as he aims to move closer to the top echelons of golf.

“Playing these guys week in week out you improve and not playing them week in week out puts you behind the eight ball,” Smith said.

“It’s great to have the Moongate Tour in Bermuda, which is awesome and I will be competing in the next event at Tucker’s Point on April 25. It’s great to have this tour where locals can keep their game sharp and competitive. Big kudos to the organisers Andrew Trott-Francis, Chaka DeSilva and Jordan Swan for making these events happen.

“Playing against elite competition every week is where I want to be. I want to test my game and playing at that level helps you to raise your game. Everybody is there trying to play well and win. Being around those guys brings something out of you. You have to play.”

But with elite-level competition comes elite-level expense and Smith’s desert adventure did not come cheap.

“I’m not going to sugar coat it, it’s pretty expensive,” Smith said.

“I work at Turtle Hill, which helps with some of my expenses and it can get pretty pricey if you don’t have any backing, which is the tough part.”

“This month away cost me $5,500 to $6,000 for the tournaments, flights, hotels. It’s not cheap but fortunately I know a few people who put me up for a few days in certain places and I caught a ride with a playing partner back from Oman to Dubai.

“My buddy put me up at his place for a few days and those little things help to cut the costs down. I don’t have a caddie yet but I soon will, so you also have to put them up. It all has a dollar value and it’s costly, but play well and it can also pay off.”

Smith is a paid-up member of the Clutch Pro Tour for the entire year and has a number of tournaments ringed on the calendar. The lure of qualifying for one of golf’s majors will keep him focused in the next few weeks.

“I have signed up for both the US Open and British Open qualifying, so that is next,” Smith said.

“I head to Connecticut in May for US Open qualifying and then British Open qualifying. I’ve joined Clutch for the year and you have to learn fast on that stage as to what you have to do to win or be in contention. That tour is going to be in the UK at the end of May so I will head there.

“But I also want to represent Bermuda and be eligible to qualify for the Pan Am Games and the Central American and Caribbean Games. It would also be great to make it to into the weekend at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship.

“The big goal is just to improve my game, limit mistakes and mentally acknowledge that I belong out here. I want to win and I know I can.”