Ebonie Burgess is taking a break from golf and will not be defending her Bermuda Amateur Four-Ball title next weekend at Port Royal Golf Club.

Burgess won last year’s event with Elizabeth Parsons who is overseas in college, but yesterday Burgess confirmed she will not be competing in the tournament which has been reduced to 36 holes.

“I’ve chosen not to play this year, but I don’t know what she is doing,” Burgess said.

“I haven’t played much golf in the last 12 months, for various reasons, and also I’m getting married [in May] so that is taking preference over everything else for me.

“I’m going to have to pass this year.

“Other things are coming first right now. I’ve played maybe a handful of times in the last year. I know I’m not done, for sure, but right now it’s not even on my radar.”

Burgess last played in November when she teamed up with Jarryd Dillas in the BGA Mixed Foursome Tournament at Turtle Hill, finishing third.

Dillas and partner Will Haddrell have signed up and will be looking to defend their men’s title against competition that includes Ben Hodges and Richard Neame and experienced pair Robert Vallis and Hav Trott.

Linda Down and Katrin Burnie, Tracy Nash and Katyna Rabain and Susan Vallis and Elaine Stevens are the top women’s teams registered so far.

The Bermuda Golf Association revealed yesterday that the Men’s and Ladies Championships will now be played over 36 holes on the Saturday and Sunday along with the Men’s Senior Championship.

The first flights will be eliminated. The deadline for entries has been extended to next Wednesday.

“Unfortunately we moved the event from November and the numbers aren’t as high as we would like them to be,” Gary Venning, the administrator, said.

“We know a lot of people have issues trying to get the Friday off work, so we are hoping a 36-hole event might be more appealing.

“It’s unfortunate we won’t have our best [female] players out there but circumstances play a big part and it’s understandable.

“We have spoken to a number of people who said that the Friday was an issue for them.

“If you leave it to the last minute and then change it to 36 holes people have already made plans, so we decided to make the change early.”

Venning is urging more club players to consider entering in the tournament, which involves teams of two.

“Everybody who is a member of a club is a member of the Bermuda Golf Association and is very welcome to participate in BGA events,” he said.

“Also it’s a good opportunity if you’re a member of, say, Belmont Hills then this is an opportunity to play on another course at a very reasonable rate. The BGA wants to include everybody.

“A lot of people get confused when they see four-ball, that it must be a team event involving four people.

“But it is just a partner best-ball and what they really need to do is find a partner.”

For more information contact the BGA office at 295-9972 or e-mail info@bermudagolf.org