The Bermuda Golf Association (BGA) has announced the expansion of its Operation 36 (Op 36) golf programme, to Port Royal Golf Club and Turtle Hill Golf Club at Fairmont Southampton.
Following the successful launch of the Op 36 Junior Programme in September 2023, which saw 60 students participate at Ocean View Golf Course, the BGA is now providing new pathways for golf enthusiasts of all skill levels.. The new offering includes ladies’ golf programmes, junior golf programmes (for those between the ages of 7 and 18) and general programmes for both men and women looking to learn the game.
The upcoming month-long Ladies’ Golf Programme launches on February 4th at Turtle Hill with a second cohort beginning at Port Royal in March. The programmes are open to players of all levels, including those who have never played before.
This marks an exciting new way for women in Bermuda to learn one of the island’s most popular sports. 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 percent of membership at local clubs on average.
For younger players, Op 36 has expanded its reach, and will now also be on offer at Port Royal, Turtle Hill and Ocean View golf courses.
General classes, open to all, will also be launching soon at Turtle Hill and Port Royal.
The Op 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 grassroots of the game locally with a view to creating inter-club junior leagues and inter-school competitions further down the line.
The President of the Bermuda Golf Association, Craig Brown, said, “The Bermuda Golf Association is committed to developing the game of golf across the island. The Operation 36 Pilot programme is a joint-venture coaching development initiative with the BPGA and industry partners in an effort to provide grassroots 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.’
The Golf Development Officer at the Bermuda Golf Association, Ebonie Cox, said, ‘We are delighted to be creating new pathways into golf for those who might otherwise not have had the opportunity. 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.’
Director for Golf at Turtle Hill Golf Club at Fairmont Southampton, Scott Roy, said, ‘Our island prides itself on having more golf courses per square mile than anywhere else in the world - we look forward to having more golfers per square mile, too. Turtle Hill Golf Course at Fairmont Southampton is proud to be hosting Op 36 golf programmes to encourage the grassroots of the game.’
Those looking for more information or wanting to sign up can email the BGA at info@bermudagolf.org. Those interested in joining programmes at Turtle Hill can contact scott.roy@fairmont.com and those interested in the programmes at Port Royal can reach out to slambert@bermudagolf.bm.
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