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Dillas confident of podium finish

Jarryd Dillas

Jarryd Dillas will carry Bermuda’s hopes of gold on his shoulders after he was selected to his third NatWest Island Games competition by the Bermuda Golf Association (BGA) this week.Having won individual and team gold in 2009 in Aland, and a team bronze in the 2005 Shetland Games, Dillas will be looking to turn the pressure of playing at home into a positive.“It's always very humbling to be selected to represent your country,” Dillas said. “I take great pride in flying the flag for Bermuda and I'm looking forward to teeing it up in July with the goal of helping our men's team to a podium finish.“The fact that we'll be playing at home certainly adds a bit of pressure, but that's what you train for year-round, and I'm sure that every Bermudian athlete is gearing up for the Games and is keen to show the home supporters what we can do.“This will be my third time competing in the Island Games. I have won medals in previous Games, so I have some fond memories of this event.“The rest of the men's team will be making their international debuts for Bermuda, as will Ann Symonds for the ladies; I remember how excited I was back in 2002 at the World Amateur when I first represented Bermuda at the senior level, so I'm really happy for each of them and I'm sure this will be an unforgettable experience for all involved.”Symonds, who is the current female Bermuda Amateur Match Play champion, will be joined by Ebonie Burgess, who is the female public links champion, Katrin Burnie and Elizabeth Parson.Mark Phillips will return from university to join Dillas, Mitchell Campbell and Jevon Roberts on the men’s squad.The course, Port Royal Golf Course, ranks among the world’s best public golf courses by Golf Digest and named Bermuda’s finest course by the New York Times, featuring 18 championship holes over 6,842 manicured yards.Designed by world-renowned architect Robert Trent Jones Sr in 1970, Port Royal has recently undergone a complete makeover spearheaded by original design team member Robert Rulewich in preparation for the 2009/2010 PGA Grand Slam of Golf.With the local contingent having time to put together a strategy, Dillas believes they will hold the upper hand in their quest for top honours in both individual and team competitions.“I think any time you have the opportunity to play on home soil it's an advantage. The rest of the field will most likely be seeing Port Royal for the first time in July, whereas we've got the next two months to build on the course knowledge that we each already have, so I definitely think both of our teams are in with a great chance.“Personally I feel like I'm on the right track with my game. I'm short on tournament golf and lacking a bit of consistency at the moment, but I'm confident that come July I'll be ready to help lead the Bermuda men's team to a top three finish.”