Can you say “Sensory Overload?”
Report Day 2, Oct 21, 2022 —
Today was better than yesterday here at the 2022 Bermuda Black Golf Clubs Championship and I did not think that could be done. Each of my 5 senses is on overtime here on this beautiful island of Bermuda in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean, thanks to the leadership and vision of the Bermuda Tourism Authority led by Tracy Berkeley, working with PGA Magazine leader Rick Summers and the venerable golf leader, Earnie Ellison.
My sense of sight was overloaded all day, starting with the bus trip to the Mid Ocean Golf Club in Tucker’s Town to standing at almost any tee box and viewing the royal blue waters of the ocean. It simply makes you grateful to be alive to savor these moments.
It was like that all day. Seeing my fellow golfers from around the world, seeing and experiencing the camaraderie of accomplished people of color all here to play, learn, share and grow. I didn’t think it could get any better, but it did. We were even greeted by a fire performer upon arriving at the Bermuda Society of Arts for the Champions Dinner
Golf is just that powerful. It touches your heart, your soul, your being if you let it.
I heard from people of all backgrounds who shared stories about their life’s journey and the impact of golf on their life and on their mental health. Golf is goodness and healing.
At the Champion’s Dinner, I and my fellow duffers heard from individuals who were Super Bowl Champions, Olympic Gold Medal Winners, National Champions, Collegiate and Professional Champions. These amazing athletes absolutely captivated us with their stories of accomplishment and overcoming their adversities on their route to greatness.
How could you not be inspired by listening to Santonio Holmes being told he was too small to play football but became Super Bowl XLIII MVP anyway. Hearing Josephus and Noah Lyles talk about their journey to world track and field dominance. Turning professional right out of high school and with their earnings purchasing a new car for their high school track coach, WOW!!
We all heard from Bermuda tourism executive, Hazel Clark who talked about her collegiate and Olympic career. Mind you, she made 3 Olympic teams in the span of 12 years and she is just as capable in business as she was in track.
Savoring the smell of the pristine ocean, the superb Bermuda food excites one’s senses in unimaginable ways. Bermuda makes you happy to be alive for these moments. If you golf, even if you don’t golf, you must come to this beautiful island of just 63,903 people.
Bermuda has also developed into a highly successful offshore financial center and the island ranks among the wealthiest mostly because of international businesses, like insurance and financial services companies that operate in the country. These businesses account for around 85% of Bermuda’s GDP.
The smell of money and wealth is here.
Tasting Bermuda is easy, too easy and too often. The food and beverage are outstanding. The blend of African American, British and Portuguese make for combinations that excite the palate. You can eat healthy here with the assortment of fish and vegetables and still have room for the fabulous Chocolate Ganache cake with hazelnut crème anglais. My only suggestion is to pace yourself. Please try the ginger beer-based cocktails. I am so glad that they don’t let nonresidents drive as these beverages are very tasty – trust me.
I like many others have touched and been touched by the warmth and genuine hospitality of Bermudians. I mean even our bus drivers, who while traversing the narrow and winding roads are providing history and geography lessons about this paradise which is 25 miles long and 2 miles wide at its widest point.
Did you know that, Bermuda has more golf courses per capita than any other country in the world?
I and everyone in my foursome touched many parts of Bermuda some of which I’m sure were not meant to be touched. Our drives did find the fairway but also found palm trees, bushes, water and other native habitat. But we still had an enjoyable time.
Rick Summers took $1.25 off of me for the longest drive in the fairway even beating out Santonio Holmes whose bombs of 270 – 300 yards fueled by his 118 mph swing speed didn’t find the fairway on this hole, a rarity.
Santonio gladly and eagerly took $1.00 off of me by hitting the green on a 203-yard par 3 with his 6 iron. So, I’m down a couple of dollars but I have time to recover.
Remember, I said I smell money here— so stay tuned. My senses are on overload and yours will be too when you visit this island paradise.
I can only hope that you will have the excellent coordination of time, travel and logistics provided by the PGA magazine staff as I have had the good fortune of enjoying.
Tina Thatcher and Julie Yuen, I tip my golf cap to you ladies and thank you for keeping the group on time, hydrated and excited. These ladies are the best. Rick should take his new found wealth and share it with these beautiful people…I’m just saying.
Well it is now 4:57am and I am going back to bed to get ready for another day, this time at Tucker’s Point, bus departs at 7am. On second thought, I will just stay up. The things we do in the name of golf.
>> READ MORE: BERMUDA BLACK GOLF CLUBS CHAMPIONSHIP DAY 3
