Jupiter Country Club have returned to the island to defend their Bermuda Goodwill Golf Tournament title this year.

The Florida-based club have retained the same team that won last year’s 54-hole pro-am event by four shots over Port Royal Golf Club B which includes Spencer Mellon, Peter Cook, David Dart and Mike Bloom.

Tournament chairman and chief executive Bob Corrao is delighted by the sharp spike in the number of teams competing this year.

“This year it grew from 40 teams in 2022 to 70 teams in 2023,” he said. “This is the highest number in over 20 years.

“Teams are here from 13 states in the United States, from the United Kingdom, Scotland and Canada and will be bringing over $2 million into the Bermuda economy.”

Some of the top golf courses in the world that have hosted a major tournament or fall within the world’s top 100 are being represented. Among them St Andrews, Prestwick, Quaker Ridge and Crystal Downs.

The tournament holds the distinction of being the longest running pro-am worldwide.

“This is the 71st consecutive year of the Goodwill which is the longest-running pro-am in golf history worldwide,” Corrao added. “No other pro-am is even close.”

The tournament will once again be jointly hosted by Port Royal Golf Course, Belmont Hills Golf Club and Mid Ocean Club from Sunday to Thursday.

Flying Bermuda’s flag this year are Port Royal Golf Club A and B, Mid Ocean Club A and B, Ocean View Golf Club, Belmont Hills Golf Club and Tucker’s Point Golf Club.

“It’s exciting to see the Bermuda Goodwill tournament continue to grow with 70 teams arriving on island this weekend,” tournament director and top local professional Scott Roy said. “Many returning teams with a few new to the event.

“The players are excited and Bermuda seems ready to put on a show for our visitors.

“The three golf courses are all in great condition.”