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Port Royal Golf Course Celebrating 55 Years Port Royal Golf Course is marking its 55th anniversary today [Oct 29]. A spokesperson said, “On Wednesday, October 29, 2025, Port Royal Golf Course celebrates 55 glorious years as a world class golf course. “Bermuda’s role in the world of golf dates back to the 1880s thanks to the British military; there were nine hole golf courses at Ireland Island, Spanish Point, Prospect Garrison, and St. George’s Garrison. There was even a croquet golf course at Government House in the early 1900s. “In fact, Bermuda has for a century boasted having more golf courses per square mile than anywhere in the world – 10 in 1931, albeit eight were 9-hole courses – and today Bermuda proudly has seven golf course with only one being nine holes. List of Chairpersons 1970-1976 Mr. P. Reginald Tucker 1976-1980 Mr. George Wardman 1980-1983 Mr. J. Thomas Smith 1983-1993 Mrs. Clarence James 1993-1994 Mr. Mark Diel 1994-1998 Mr. Dennis Samuels 1998-1999 Mr. Raoul Tyrrell 1999-2004 MP Elvin James 2005-2006 Mr. Michael Emery 2006-2010 Mr. Wendell Brown 2011-2012 Mr. Nitin Aggarwal 2013 – Mr. Clement Talbot 201? – 2017 Mr. Mark Crockwell 2017 – 2020 Neville Tyrrell 2020 – 2021 Derrick Burgess 2021 – 2024 Kim Swan 2024 – Present Jason Wade “The opening of Port Royal Golf Course 1970 coincided with the opening of Bermuda’s largest hotel, the Fairmont Southampton Princess, during Bermuda’s tourism hay day, which took convention business to a new level in Bermuda. “When Port Royal Golf Course was conceptualized in the early 1960s, Bermuda was still grappling with rigid segregation in all aspects of society; years of planning a world class public golf course culminated with an outstanding coastal golf course, which has served Bermuda well. “Early pioneers were banker Reginald Tucker from St. George’s, George Wardman, Hubert Smith, Eric Parker, Noel Van Putten Walter King, and Frank Rabain, among others, who played a huge role ensuring Port Royal Golf Course was a golf course of high quality and its standards were kept high as well. “It important to put the timing of Port Royal’s introduction in context, as the social and racial climate in Bermuda was far from ideal. When Port Royal Golf Course finally opened its doors, Bermuda had recently transitioned to an integrated society, although there were obvious vestiges of segregation still prevalent in Bermuda in 1970. “The Bermuda Open Championship [1967-1977, closed to residents, and 1978 onwards The International Bermuda Open] was reintroduced in 1967, which ushered in Bermuda’s first truly integrated golf championship for amateurs and professionals to compete equally; the event was open to Bermuda residents only. While the first three were won by Scot Doug Dalziel [pro at Riddell’s Bay], young emerging Bermudian Pro Walter King launched his career by winning the 1970 Bermuda Open at Belmont Manor Golf Resort.” Kim Swan said, “Walter King’s tenure at Port Royal would inspire a new generation of golfers from that community; many today owe their careers in golf to the inclusive mantra Walter introduced at Port Royal Golf Course. Walter King bridged the divide racially and culturally in a unique way; he was a renaissance man” “The right person at the right time in our history, Walter inspired me to become a golf professional and a Parliamentarian. Walter was not only an excellent golfer, but also an outstanding cricketer who was extremely charismatic and well spoken.” The spokesperson said, “The establishment of Port Royal ushered in an era of unprecedented inclusiveness in golf only available at the public facilities at the 9-hole Ocean View Golf Course. As a world class golf course with full service facilities, Port Royal attracted persons from all walks of life. “The Reginald Tucker era included the late Eric Parker and the late Hubert Smith, who both were well established figures on the Bermuda golf scene – Eric Parker at Belmont and with the Bermuda Golf Association and Hubert Smith through Ocean View Golf Club. The fusion of Bermuda’s golf culture had begun. Reginald Tucker, from a well-established golf family in St. George’s, was a key executive figure with the Bank of Bermuda and an accomplished golfer. “The completion of Port Royal Golf Course was delayed several months before opening in October of 1970.” Former civil servant Dr. I. W. Hughes said, “Reggie Tucker was a no-nonsense fellow who got things done.” Mr. Swan said, “Mr. Wardman was a champion golfer and it was under his administration that Noel Van Putten and Frank Rabain were introduced to Port Royal Golf Course as General Manager and Golf Professional and the course grew from strength to strength attracting unprecedented numbers of golfers annually.” The spokesperson said, “In it important to remember that without Ocean View Golf Club’s leasing of the Queens Park Golf Course [formerly known as Devonshire Golf Links and Garrison Golf Links], there would not been a Port Royal as we have known it for the past 55 years. Port Royal public access not only satisfied the need to provide a world class golf facility for our hotels to market, but it went a long way to accelerate social and racial integration through the game of golf in Bermuda. “Ironically, in 2025, tourism in Bermuda anxiously awaits the reopening of the Fairmont Southampton Hotel and Port Royal Golf Course, the iconic government-owned golf course is poised to play its part. “As Bermuda prepares to play host to our seventh PGA Tour event, it’s noteworthy to share that between 2009 and 2014, Port Royal hosted the major golf championship during the PGA Grand Slam of Golf, more than 40 Bermuda Open Championships since 1971 and countless other tournaments and special events. “On Wednesday, October 29th, 2025, Port Royal Golf Course celebrates 55 glorious years as a world class golf course.”
