Some of the finest female golfers in the collegiate system got the chance to test themselves at Port Royal Golf Course over the past two days.

Competing in the Bermuda Triangle Collegiate Challenge, more than 60 NCAA Division I golfers from 11 colleges played 54 holes in two days and got a taste of just how difficult Port Royal can play.

With high winds prevalent for much of the tournament, players used to finishing under par for their rounds were forced to use every tool in their course management kit to achieve respectability.

But for most of the players and coaches the views and the island hospitality more than made up for the toughness of the course, with most eager to travel home and spread the word on what Bermuda has to offer.

After a tough two days of competition it was Stetson University in Florida, who came out on top with a combined total of 900 points (48 over), with their star Japanese player Isaki Sakashita (10 over) beating her team-mate Ailsa Brannock, from Scotland, by one shot to claim individual honours.

Sakashita had not experienced the elevation and the winds of Port Royal before and was pleased with her performance.

“I’m so happy to win this as it was really a tough two days, especially with the wind and the weather,” Sakashita said.

“The first round I was struggling to get used to the wind and I’m used to shooting low rounds so I never thought I would be happy to take 10 over.

“But it was just such a pleasure to come to Bermuda and to play golf with these views, this beautiful ocean and the blue water. It was spectacular and I really want to come back, not for the tournament, but just for vacation.”

Runner-up Brannock, a senior, was impressed by Bermuda as a destination for golf.

“We've played all over the world and obviously I’ve travelled all over the world for college but this is just unimaginable,” she said.

“It’s right at the top of my list both for golf and just life in general. All the people we’ve met have been super lovely and the golf course has been in great condition. Everything's just been top notch.”

One player who was not quite as stunned by the views was Sienna Mosquera, who grew up in Bermuda and returned home for this tournament, competing for LeHigh University.

Mosquera’s local knowledge paid off as she produced a good performance to finish tied for 21st in the 67-strong field and she was thrilled to be back in familiar surroundings.

“It feels so great to be home and I’m just so grateful that the tournament is here and that I got to bring my team-mates to Bermuda,” Mosquera said.

“We got here on Friday and we went to the beach, went out on the water, saw some whales and it was great. They all love it here and they say it’s the best tournament that they’ve been to and also the best place to play. They keep saying they don't know how I ever left.”

Mosquera was happy with her play and as a freshman is getting to grips with life as a college golfer.

“I was happy with how I played,” she said. “I know what I have to work on, but I did have some really good holes and ended up with six birdies, so that was really good.

“I'm still getting used to the different college format. We play 36 holes in one day, so it’s just a bit longer and it is tiring.”

The tournament is new on the college calendar, with this its first iteration. The Bermuda Tourism Authority has been instrumental in getting the event going and is hoping to expand it in the coming years.

One interested onlooker during the final round was Kim Swan MP, who played college golf at Troy University and was a member of the European Tour. He was delighted with the investment that brought over some of the best players of their generation

“Sport, culture and the arts are where we need to put our investment,” Swan said.

“I’ve always wanted to say that tourism is built on relationships and to me this tournament is no different than Newport to Bermuda and is a better version of College Weeks.

“There are 67 golfers here and a number of parents are here spending money and making relationships.

“This is where the future for Bermuda tourism has to be, not throwing money out and hoping that somebody sees but investing in areas and things that people like to do in Bermuda.”

Colleges at NCAA Division I level are only allowed to play one international tournament every four years, which means all the players at Port Royal this week are unlikely to compete here again.

Canada, Mexico and Japan have exemptions from that international rule and Swan is hopeful that Bermuda can lobby the NCAA for an exemption to join those countries given the island’s proximity to the United States.

“The young people here today come from all over the world as America is recruiting them,” Swan said.

“The one thing we've got to do is find a way to get that exemption like Canada and Mexico have, so they can come every year.

“I’ve been trying to get my alma mater, Troy, here for years and these girls cannot come for another four years. We have to change that so they'll come every year. I know they are looking to bring men’s teams here next year, so even if we got it reduced from four years to two, we could alternate the competition.”