Daniel Augustus will take his next step along the road to becoming a professional golfer when he competes in the prestigious Dixie Amateur tournament in Florida this weekend.

Augustus was invited to compete in the event, which will be held at Heron Bay Golf Club in Coral Springs, after winning this year's Bermuda Amateur Strokeplay Championship.

And the Island's top amateur golfer will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of senior Robert Vallis who finished second in the Senior Dixie Championship earlier this month. Mid Ocean Club member Vallis also pulled off one of Bermuda's most memorable golf victories this year when he won the British Senior Amateur Championships.

The Dixie is one of the oldest amateur events in America and has been played in Florida since its inception in 1924. With a former list of winners that includes the likes of Jesper Parnevik and Lanny Wadkins, it is seen as a major stepping stone on the way to a professional career.

While Augustus is flying the flag for Bermuda in the US, the Island's remaining top male amateurs will be battling it out for the right to represent their country at next month's Copa De Las Americas in Argentina.

Bermuda Golf Association have decided to send a team to the tournament for the first time, with Ebonie Burgess and Laura Robinson, already selected for the women's team. Top female golfer Tarikah Walikraam is unable to play in that event because she will be in Florida playing in the women's version of the Dixie Amateur.

A 36-hole qualifying event at Port Royal this weekend will see the rest of the top male amateurs compete for the two places in the men's team.

With the likes of Nick Jones, Jarryd Dillas and Damian Palanyandi all expected to take part, Bermuda will be confident of sending a top team to the event which will be played on the same two courses – Buenos Aires Golf Club and Olivos Golf Club – as next October's World Amateur Team Championships.