Camiko Smith hopes a new sponsorship deal will raise his profile and help take his golf career to the next level.

The Bermuda professional has signed a two-year agreement with global watch and clothing company Rockwell.

Smith will become the face of the firm’s golf website, while also wearing their range of golf clothing, watches and other apparel at the events he enters.

“It’s a big opportunity for me,” said Smith. “It raises my profile, makes me more official. I’ve got a start, and now I’ve just got to build on this. Do well, play well, and get recognised.”

Other athletes on Rockwell’s books include MMA fighter Tito Ortiz, Brianna Cope, the surfer, and BMX rider Josh Hult.

The partnership with Rockwell came as something as a surprise to Smith, who was approached about the deal by the organisers of the Bermuda Golf Classic, which took place at Port Royal Golf Course last week.

Smith had initially asked two of the organisers, Clarence Hofheins, the Cambridge Beaches general manager, and Alex Madeiros, the Port Royal director of golf, if he could be involved in the Classic and was surprised to be contacted two days later by another official, Brady Whitingham, outlining Rockwell’s offer.

Carlos Nuno, a former NFL player and co-owner of Rockwell, was in Bermuda for the tournament and Smith completed his first official function for the company during Saturday’s Bermuda Golf Classic Pro Am where he represented Rockwell at the par-three third, playing the hole with the teams taking part.

“I was a bit shocked when they told me, but I was excited at the same time, it was a welcome surprise,” Smith said. “I’m grateful to Rockwell for the opportunity to be part of their brand and I’m excited to be part of the Rockwell Golf team.”

Smith hopes the deal will be just the start of a career-defining year, and is targeting Open Championship Qualifying, the European Tour Qualifying School, and a couple of events in the United States and Canada as his major goals, if he can raise the necessary funds to compete.

“The first year I went away I did it out of my own pocket, I saved up my own money, and I went,” he said. “Whenever I can make money, I go.

“I can’t do anything unless I play tournaments, I can’t progress unless I’m playing.”