Oct 15, 2026
bermuda golf tournament, Bermuda golf events, Port Royal golf, golf travel Bermuda, BGA championships
Compare seven Bermuda golf tournament options, from the PGA TOUR event to par-3 and amateur championships, with dates, formats and entry tips.

Your club is planning a late-season trip to Bermuda, but the central question isn't where to play. You need to know which Bermuda golf tournament fits your group, whether visitors can enter, and how much travel planning the event demands. Bermuda hosts a mix of professional spectator events, invitational team weeks, national championships, and open competitions. Their entry rules, schedules, and course access differ sharply.
Dates and eligibility can change, so confirm the current details with each organizer before booking flights, rooms, or deposits. If your group is building a larger premium golf itinerary, you might also compare the trip with a private jet to Augusta. These are the seven options I'd put on the planning list.
1. Butterfield Bermuda Championship
The Butterfield Bermuda Championship is the island's main professional golf event, played at Port Royal Golf Course in Southampton. It became the first official PGA TOUR event held in Bermuda when it debuted from October 31 to November 3, 2019. The 2026 PGA TOUR schedule lists the next edition for October 22–25 at Port Royal, a par-71 course measuring 6,828 yards. The PGA TOUR overview identifies the venue's coastal setting, wind exposure, and ocean-facing par-3 16th.
For a club or corporate group, this is primarily a spectator and hospitality trip, not a player-entry opportunity. The tournament offers official tickets, hospitality, volunteering, and community programs through the Butterfield Bermuda Championship. Players generally need PGA TOUR status, although professionals and eligible local players may pursue tightly controlled qualifier routes.
The event has the production value most groups expect from a major professional week. The 2019 purse was $3,000,000, and Brendon Todd won at 24 under par. By 2024, the purse had reached $6,900,000, with Rafael Campos receiving $1,242,000. The tournament's competitive and financial history shows how substantially the event has grown.
Practical rule: Treat this as a travel, ticketing, and hospitality exercise unless someone in your group already meets professional qualifying requirements.
Port Royal's location makes course transfers manageable once you're on the island, but hotels and transport still need early coordination. For broader tournament-planning ideas, compare this format with golf tournaments in Ireland.

2. Bermuda Goodwill Pro-Am
The Bermuda Goodwill Pro-Am is the best fit for a club that wants to send a complete team rather than watch from the gallery. The usual structure pairs a PGA professional with three amateurs for a multi-day team week. The attraction isn't just the scorecard. It's the access to several Bermuda courses, private-club settings, formal functions, and the relationship-building that happens between rounds.
Play can rotate through Port Royal, Mid Ocean Club, Tucker's Point, and Belmont Hills. Mid Ocean Club access is particularly valuable because visitors can't normally treat it like a standard public tee-time option. The schedule also includes opening and closing events, banquets, and partner benefits, so the trip feels more like a club delegation than an independent golf holiday.
The Bermuda Goodwill Pro-Am has operated since 1953 and is widely known for its long professional-amateur tradition. That history matters operationally. Teams typically need to commit well ahead of arrival, and deposits, player substitutions, handicap details, and travel arrangements should be settled before the popular periods fill.
Who should enter
Send a team if your members value shared experiences and networking as much as individual competition. It's less suitable for a golfer who wants a low-cost open championship or a flexible itinerary with independent tee times.
Team composition: Plan around a PGA professional and three amateurs, subject to the current organizer rules.
Course access: Expect a multi-venue schedule rather than one home course.
Budget: Allow for premium team fees, travel packages, meals, and social functions.
Timing: Contact the organizer early because established destination events can fill before casual travelers make final plans.
The main trade-off is control. You get a highly organized week, but you give up some freedom to change courses or shorten the schedule. For clubs comparing formats, this overview of golf pro-am tournaments is useful context.
3. Goslings Bermuda Open
A player planning to compete rather than join a social team event should look at the Goslings Bermuda Open. It is a Bermuda Golf Association sanctioned open championship, generally conducted as stroke play and commonly associated with Port Royal. The field targets regional professionals and low-handicap amateurs, so traveling with a club group does not automatically make a visitor eligible.
Port Royal sets a demanding test. The course has hosted professional golf, while the Open gives qualified amateurs an opportunity to compete on a championship venue. Coastal wind, exposed holes, and approach-shot control can matter as much as distance. Players should bring current handicap documentation and competition records, then allow time to learn the course before the opening round.
Entry details for the Open appear in the BGA's current competition notice. Confirm the entry class, handicap standard, professional status rules, and association requirements there before arranging flights or accommodation around the tournament. Dates can change, and the notice takes priority over an older schedule.

Check before booking: Confirm tournament dates and entry class directly with the BGA. A published event listing does not replace the current competition notice.
This event works best for an aspiring professional or competitive amateur who wants a serious field. A family holiday may call for a different arrangement: attend as spectators while the player protects practice and recovery time. Keep the competition schedule separate from sightseeing, and build extra travel time around registration and tee times.
4. Dark ’n Stormy World Par 3 Championship
The Dark ’n Stormy World Par 3 Championship suits golfers who want competition without committing to a full-length championship layout. It's played at Turtle Hill Golf Club at Fairmont Southampton and uses a 36-hole par-3 format with separate amateur and professional divisions. The shorter course makes the event easier to fit into a group holiday, although it doesn't make the scoring easy.
Turtle Hill is built for precision. On a coastal course, wind can turn a straightforward wedge into a difficult carry, and club selection can change quickly during the day. Players who rely on full-swing distance may find that the format exposes short-game and trajectory weaknesses. That's part of the appeal for club teams, competitive amateurs, and golfers who want a distinctive event rather than another standard medal round.
The World Par 3 Championship information page contains the current event details, packages, and entry information. Timing can vary by year, so don't book a nonrefundable resort stay until the organizer confirms the schedule.
Why the format works for groups
A par-3 championship creates fewer logistics problems than a multi-course week. Players can spend less time on the course, and non-playing guests can join the resort and social elements without waiting through a long round. Separate amateur and professional divisions also make the event more approachable than an open championship aimed at elite fields.
The weakness is weather exposure. Wind and rain can influence results heavily, and resort-based packages may create more cost than a simple tee-time trip. Bring flexible clothing, allow schedule margin, and confirm whether the package includes accommodation, competition fees, social events, or only selected components.
5. Bermuda Amateur Stroke Play Championship
The Bermuda Amateur Stroke Play Championship is for the golfer who wants recognized individual competition and a stronger field than a typical club outing. The Bermuda Golf Association manages the event, with separate divisions and World Amateur Golf Ranking recognition appearing on recent schedules. Port Royal and other island championship venues may be used, depending on the current calendar.
This isn't an event to add casually to a holiday after flights are booked. Entry standards and handicap or index requirements apply, and the organizer may request proof before accepting a player. College golfers, elite club champions, and serious international amateurs are the natural audience. A player who wants a relaxed fourball should choose a different event.
The Bermuda Amateur Stroke Play Championship page is the right starting point for current requirements. Read the entry notice carefully, particularly the competition dates, divisions, handicap conditions, and any documentation required for visitors.
Stroke play rewards patience. Build the trip around practice and recovery, not just sightseeing between tee times.
The logistics are manageable, but tee-time windows may be limited. Book accommodation close enough to avoid long daily transfers, and leave room for weather changes. Players should also understand how scores will be posted and how ties, cut procedures, or final-round qualification work before arriving. A useful primer on the format is this guide to stroke play golf.
6. Bermuda Four-Ball Championships
Two golfers travelling together can enter the Bermuda Four-Ball Championships as a team rather than compete as separate individuals. The Bermuda Golf Association runs the championship across multiple divisions, with pairings and tee-time blocks issued for the competition. Port Royal may form part of the venue schedule, so confirm the course before booking accommodation.
The format suits a US club sending member pairs, a professional and member combination, or friends who want a serious event with a shared result. Partners can manage risk together and recover from one player's poor hole. That creates a more social trip than individual stroke play, while the competition still demands preparation and reliable attendance.
Check the current championship dates and entry instructions through the BGA. Registration for the Four-Ball opens through the association's event information, so confirm the division and pair-entry deadline before either player books flights. Team places may close before travel arrangements are complete.
What to settle before entering
Choose the division: Confirm the skill or handicap category for both players.
Register as a pair: Match both names, contact details, and handicap information with the organizer's records.
Plan for weather: Winter and spring conditions can change tee times and round sequencing.
Protect the schedule: Leave flexibility for a delayed or rescheduled round.
The championship provides amateur access to a competitive course, but it leaves less room for a casual visitor itinerary. Substitution rules may be strict if one partner withdraws. Ask about replacements before paying deposits, and confirm how the pair's entry is affected if travel disruption prevents either player from starting.
7. Johnnie Walker Classic
The Johnnie Walker Classic offers a different Bermuda experience. It's held at Ocean View Golf Course in Devonshire, a government-run public course near Hamilton. The course has nine holes played as 18, giving the event a compact format and a distinctly local feel. Leading Bermudian professionals and capable amateurs may compete, but the field and entry procedure are often announced closer to the event.
This is the option I'd consider for a golfer who wants community atmosphere and simpler transport rather than private-club access. Ocean View can be easier to reach from the Hamilton area, and the setting generally offers a more accessible tournament environment than a multi-course destination week. It's also a better fit for a short stay when the group doesn't want to build an entire holiday around golf.
The Ocean View Golf Course information should be checked alongside local tournament announcements. Confirm whether visitors can enter, whether local players receive priority, and how registration works before booking around the event.
Best fit: Choose Ocean View when local character and convenient access matter more than a TOUR-style venue.
The repeated nine-hole layout won't appeal to every competitor. Some players prefer a full-length championship course, while others value shorter transfers, lower green-fee pressure, and a smaller event footprint. Ask for the current field rules and format before assuming it's an open international entry.
Comparison of 7 Bermuda Golf Tournaments
Event | 🔄 Implementation complexity | ⚡ Resource requirements | 📊 Expected outcomes | 💡 Ideal use cases | ⭐ Key advantages |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Butterfield Bermuda Championship (PGA TOUR) | 🔄 High, full‑field TOUR logistics, broadcast, spectator management | ⚡ Very high, production budget, travel/hotels, staffing, security | 📊 Very high visibility, sponsor ROI, elite competition | 💡 US club spectator trips; corporate hospitality; volunteer programs | ⭐ Premium production, sponsor exposure, reliable schedule |
Bermuda Goodwill Pro‑Am | 🔄 Medium‑High, multi‑course rotation, pro–am coordination, social events | ⚡ Medium‑High, team fees, pro bookings, multi‑venue logistics | 📊 Strong networking, destination experience, access to private clubs | 💡 Club teams seeking social networking and multi‑course play | ⭐ Access to private venues; rich social schedule; club‑centric format |
Goslings Bermuda Open (Bermuda Open) | 🔄 Medium, championship administration, eligibility verification | ⚡ Moderate, entry/travel costs; BGA administration support | 📊 Competitive results, development pathway for pros and top amateurs | 💡 Aspiring professionals and elite amateurs seeking WAGR exposure | ⭐ High competitive standard on a championship course |
Dark ’n Stormy World Par 3 Championship (Turtle Hill) | 🔄 Low‑Medium, single‑venue par‑3 format with resort activations | ⚡ Moderate, resort packages, event activations, lodging | 📊 Fast‑paced competition; broad participation across divisions | 💡 Competitive amateurs, club trips wanting quick rounds and branded hospitality | ⭐ Short format; accessible entry; distinctive island branding |
Bermuda Amateur Stroke Play Championship | 🔄 Medium, BGA‑run event with divisions and WAGR handling | ⚡ Moderate, travel, entry, national‑body administration | 📊 WAGR points, high‑quality field, credible competitive benchmark | 💡 Serious amateurs, college players, club champions seeking ranking play | ⭐ Recognized pathway; well‑organized by governing body |
Bermuda Four‑Ball Championships (BGA) | 🔄 Medium, team pairings, multiple divisions, posted tee blocks | ⚡ Moderate, entry fees, travel, event administration | 📊 Strong team competition and club camaraderie on championship venues | 💡 Member pairs, pro–member teams, club internal competitions | ⭐ Team‑focused format; accessible amateur pricing; camaraderie |
Johnnie Walker Classic (Ocean View Golf Course) | 🔄 Low, community tournament on a 9‑hole public course | ⚡ Low, affordable entry, local logistics, minimal staffing | 📊 Local engagement, community exposure, compact competitive format | 💡 Local players, budget‑conscious competitors, community events | ⭐ Community feel; low cost; easy logistics |
Lock In Your Bermuda Dates Before Entries Close
The right Bermuda golf tournament depends on what your group is trying to do. Watch professional golf at Port Royal, send a club team to the Goodwill Pro-Am, enter a serious individual championship, or pair up for Four-Ball. Each choice creates a different planning job, and the biggest mistakes happen when golfers treat them all like ordinary vacation tee times.
Start by checking the organizer's current schedule. Confirm whether the event is open to international players, whether a professional or amateur classification applies, and whether a Handicap Index, association membership, or low-index standard is required. For spectator events, verify ticket categories, hospitality access, volunteer applications, and any transport information before you commit the group.
Then work backward from the competition date. Secure lodging early, especially if your event uses Port Royal, Turtle Hill, or several private venues. Bermuda doesn't offer conventional rental cars to visitors, so plan how the group will move between the airport, hotel, courses, and evening functions. Compare buses, taxis, rideshare services, and two-person electric vehicles, and don't assume a tournament shuttle will cover guests staying outside the host hotel.
For club organizers, keep player eligibility, deposits, rooming, transport, and scoring administration in one operating plan. If you run the event yourself, Live Tourney can handle tournament setup, rosters, pairings, live scoring, and shareable leaderboards through a browser link that doesn't require an app download. That makes it suitable for stroke play, team formats, and group events where players need quick access to current scores.
Check the rules this week, ask each organizer the questions the public schedule doesn't answer, and reserve rooms only after the event status is confirmed. A little early coordination is the difference between a smooth Bermuda trip and a group stranded with flights but no eligible entry.
For Bermuda clubs, visiting groups, and tournament organizers, Live Tourney provides app-free live scoring, real-time leaderboards, roster management, pairings, and customizable event reports. Visit Live Tourney to set up your next golf tournament and give players a simple way to follow results on any device.




