Historically speaking, travel and Bermuda aren’t a good match. There’s a certain geometric entity in the area that’s been known to swallow ships whole. We’ve since progressed to airborne methods of transportation, and yet the problems persist – albeit on a smaller, less morbid scale.
The British island territory is playing host to the PGA Tour this week, with the Butterfield Bermuda Championship offering some younger players a chance to shine and veterans from the past an opportunity to turn back the clock for a week. To do that, however, they have to get to Bermuda, which has proven quite the task. On Monday, Rex Hoggard from Golf Channel reported that the tournament’s defending champion, Brian Gay [pictured], was one of multiple tour pros who wasn’t allowed on his flight because the plane was “too heavy”. Hoggard also suggested that the dearth of flights to Bermuda would delay some pros’ arrival by a full day.
Another player in the field told Golf Digest that his flight from New York’s JFK Airport to Bermuda involved three gate changes and plane switches. The reason? “All our golf bags made the plane heavy.” A separate player acknowledged one airline was having issues getting to Bermuda but said his flight there arrived without incident.
These are the unglamorous parts of PGA Tour life they don’t tell you about.
Despite the travel situation and the eclectic field, the Bermuda event has benefitted from the cancellation of the WGC–HSBC Champions, which was also to be played this week in China, by being elevated to full-field status. That means the winner will get 500 FedEx Cup points (up from 300) and a Masters invite. You just have to get there first.
PHOTO: Michael Reaves
