Amagansett - This past week I had the pleasure of accompanying a large group of my members from South Fork Country Club to one of the oldest, and probably the best pro-am event in the world. The Bermuda Goodwill Pro-Am has been played in Bermuda for the last 60 years without a hiccup. Close to 100 teams representing six countries travel to Bermuda the first week of December for some great golf and even greater competition. We were happy to be representing the East End of Long Island at the event.

An aerial shot of the Mid Ocean Club course.

The event is run by "To a Tee, Bermuda" owned and operated by Alex Medeiros and his wife Rebecca and is played over four of the best courses I have ever played. Alex and Rebecca do an amazing job organizing 400 golfers in rotation at four courses, with scoring, food, and every accommodating wish that a golfer could ask. The four courses, like a fine dinner, include Port Royal Golf Club, Mid Ocean Club, Belmont Hills, and Tuckers Point.

Port Royal is home to the PGA Grand Slam of golf. The event that hosts the four major winners of the year in a stroke play event. Port Royal has recently undergone a $14 million renovation and every dollar shows in the amazing restoration. Trees were cleared to open the vistas and allow the wind to play even a more important role in the play of the course. The day we played we had a gale force wind and was the most difficult wind I have ever played in. The signature hole is number 16, which sits out on the bluff fully exposed to the Atlantic Ocean and the elements. Port Royal with the renovation has become a "must play" in the bucket list of golf. After the week we were sitting down discussing the courses and decided that Port Royal was the best course we played that week, right there with Mid Ocean Club.

The Mid Ocean Club is one of the oldest and most prestigious clubs in Bermuda - and in the world. Designed by Charles Blair MacDonald, who also designed National Golf Links in Southampton, Mid Ocean Club is an amazing study in course architecture and was in great condition. The vistas at the course are second to none and the hospitality of the staff was perfect. As we were playing I could not help notice the similarities in MacDonald's design to that of National Golf Links. If you are a fan of National Golf Links as I am, you will love Mid Ocean.

Riddells Bay, one of the sleepers on the island.

The two remaining courses in the rotation - Belmont Hills and Tuckers Point - have both spent a lot of money in developing their courses and amenities to attract golf tourism to their facilities. Belmont Hills is a fun course that may not have the championship length or the views of its big brother and sister, but offers great golf with amazing Bermudian hospitality. Tuckers Point, the old Castle Harbor course, has undergone an amazing renovation in the last 10 years. Tuckers Point offers five star accommodations and amenities with a country club feel. The new hotel, tennis, food, and golf are all that anyone could ask for a destination.

The sleepers on the island of Bermuda which require mention are Riddells Bay and the executive course at the Fairmont Southampton Princess. Riddells Bay was once in the rotation for the Bermuda Goodwill event and offers an amazing layout. Challenging holes mixed with fun holes makes Riddells Bay a must play on your trip. We were greeted by a group of members at Riddells Bay, along with the club pro Anthony Mocklow. Both members and staff were amazingly hospitable and proud of their facility, deservedly so. The course was in great condition and offers a visiting golfer an enjoyable round. The Southampton Princess course is probably the most amazing find on the island. Often snubbed by golf purists that want the championship courses on their schedule, the Southampton Princess course was in the best condition of any course and offers some of the best par three holes the island has to offer. The course is continually ranked in the top 10 executive courses you can play in the world.

The weather in Bermuda this time of year is usually in the mid 60s, great golf weather. If you plan to take the family and use the beaches you are better going to the island in the late spring, summer, or early fall. Just one hour and 45 minutes from New York there may not be a better golf destination in the world. Bermuda offers more golf per square mile than any destination out there. I highly recommend Bermuda as a golf destination, or grab your club professional and join us at the Bermuda Goodwill tournament in 2011. The event offers junior senior, and women's divisions, and be sure to look up Alex and Rebecca at toateebermuda.com for more information. Although our golf was less than par we had a great time, made some new friends, and joined 300 other golfers from around the world for a great week, and that is what it is all about.

A group shot on the course.