Golf, sunshine, art and rum

TravelMole’s Graham McKenzie just couldn’t believe his luck on a recent ‘work’ trip to Bermuda.

"Sometimes in this industry you just have to hold your hands up and admit to being a very lucky boy, or girl. For me, a recent example of this was when I was invited to play in the Hackers Cup in Bermuda. The Hackers Cup does what it says on the tin – it’s a golf tournament contested in the main by well-meaning hackers of both the journalist type but also golf prowess. Played over two days in a Ryder Cup format, it gives those of us who still dream of playing the perfect game an opportunity to perform on some exceptional golf courses, with some extraordinary people, enjoy outstanding hospitality and discover a huge array of things to see and do on an island in the middle of the Atlantic ocean.

The trip started well as we enjoyed British Airways Club class service with all the trimmings. Comfortable, private seat, a fabulous selection of on-board wines (the Chateau Favray Pouilly Fume was a delight), tasty food and a feeling that after a long-ish flight all was well with the world. I was ready for anything. Well the anything turned out to be a reception at the Fairmont Southampton with cocktails, mainly dark and stormies, provided by the local rum company Goslings, and after a few of these you are certain all is well with the world and that perfect game is just round the corner.

Bloody Goslings before Golf

Golf, which we lost, was played at three courses – Riddell’s Bay Golf Club, Mid-Ocean and Port Royal – all of which proffered fabulous views of the coast and the unbelievably blue, blue sea. If you’re a golfer and you have never played any of these courses, make it a lifelong ambition to do so. Mid-Ocean is a great course with heaps of heritage and although it’s difficult to believe, the green fees are modest. Equally, at Port Royal the famous par three 16th, designed along the face of the cliff, is one of those holes you must play before you hang your clubs up. Magnificent.

The famous 16th

Bermuda, though, is not all about golf and rum (although if you wanted it to be so it’s easily done). No, the island has much more to offer as it is steeped in history, fabulous walking and cycling, not to mention diving and, of course, sailing. Bermuda is the host venue for the 2017 Americas Cup and all that an event like that entails. I was again blessed as I was allowed to tour around the Team Oracle USA headquarters and find out a bit more about what drives them to success as the current holders of the trophy, the oldest international sporting trophy in the world. The trophy was originally awarded in 1851 by the Royal Yacht Squadron (Cowes) for a race around the Isle of Wight in England, which was won by the schooner America.

Bermuda Sunset (late October)

Art and the support of the arts in general are also big in Bermuda and I was again first out of the hat as I saw the start of the Uncover the Arts festival that runs from November to April. Designed to show off the wide range of cultural adventures, eco-excursions and  the Island’s rich history . Many of the events are free to attend and are well worrth the effort.

Sali Bermuda,Hike Bermuda, Golf Bermuda,Drink Bermuda, Eat Bermuda  – Visit Bermuda"
 

Graham stayed at the Fairmont

flew with British Airways 

and drunk too much rum courtesy of Goslings