Golf has been the talk of the town in Bermuda all week. On Monday when most golf enthusiasts were focusing on Port Royal Golf Course and the PGA Grand Slam of Golf Pro-Am something special, magical and some might say spiritual was happening at Mid Ocean Club in Tuckers Town.For those of us interested in keeping abreast of the history of golf in Bermuda and the golf world at large, it seemed like the coming together of the stars, a heaven-sent opportunity for fellowship and an out-of-the-ordinary game of golf.Renowned New York University professor Dr Jeffrey Sammons, whom we featured in the Weekender last week, was joined by Bill Pitt Jr, Frank Rabain, the Rev Vernon Lowe together with golf pro and MP Kim Swan, to whom one might ascribe the title of International Hero of Bermuda Golf, if there was ever such a title.Kim Swan was the first Bermudian to qualify and compete on the PGA European Tour in 1980, and among other things was a former Bermuda PGA champion. And we must mention in passing, that until recent eruptions on the local political scene, he was Bermuda’s Official Opposition Leader in Parliament.As put by him, “there are a few times in life when the stars align for you and bring together people and circumstances that make life worth living to experience”.He was alluding specifically to the presence of Vernon Lowe and Professor of History Dr Sammons who was on the Island for the Grand Slam and at the same time hoping to unearth the mysteries around the golf of a black Bermudian, Louis Rafael (Kid) Corbin, who is credited with helping to change the course of history for all blacks in the world of golf.Rev Vernon Lowe was also here for the Grand slam, combining it with the celebration of his 85th birthday, and to research at the Archives files of the old Bermuda Recorder newspaper for his near complete autobiography. Vernon and this columnist worked together at The Recorder, where he regularly wrote a popular column, “Up And Down The Fairways”.Rev Lowe abandoned a promising career as a professional golfer to pursue the Christian Ministry. He is now a retired Presiding Elder of the AME Church, having presided over the Districts of Buffalo, Albany, Brooklyn, Westchester and Long Island.When Mr Swan heard of Rev Lowe’s arrival, he arranged a foursome at the Mid Ocean Club. Rev Lowe was the first president of Ocean View Golf Club, and the youngest of the Lowe brothers, Earl and George, who golfed with Louis Corbin and Herman Bascome, Sr (who is regarded as Bermuda’s greatest golfer, and about whom endless tales abound about his spectacular career). They, along with Bill Pitt Sr, were known as the “crack of dawn Pros” who met Joe Louis through Louis Corbin.According to Kim Swan: “Rev Vernon Lowe was Herman’s dear friend and pioneered in the struggle to make golf accessible to all in Bermuda and by extension the world. He (Rev Lowe) golfed with Herman more than 60 years ago when they could not play Mid Ocean Club, Riddell’s Bay and Belmont Manor after 9 am.”Mr Swan was taught the game first hand by Herman (Tucci) Bascome between 1971 and 1975; Mr Bascome also shared with Swan stories about golfing in the 1940s, 50s and 60s,and about the people and the places.“I have lived with the presence of Herman’s spirit for five decades now, his love for golf and the memories he shared with me of his struggles, frustrations, humiliation together with that of the many other unsung golf heroes from that era,” he said.Swan continued:” I am overjoyed that Dr. Sammons is here in Bermuda but more relieved that the opportunity to unlock the truth about depth of knowledge about the game and the quality played in Bermuda by several blacks forbidden to play golf courses after 9 am, can be uncovered, properly documented, appreciated and respected”The significance of Dr Sammons’ visit to Bermuda to give a public lecture at Ocean View Golf Club on the connections between Louis Raphael Corbin, a Bermudian from St George’s, who taught the legendary Joe Louis how to play golf was not missed by Kim Swan.“The story of Louis Raphael Corbin will prove to be interesting and we celebrate him but we are indebted to Dr Sammons for uncovering and taking a special interest in the story of Louis Raphael Corbin,” Swan said. He added, “The trail of interest by extension shines a spotlight on the black golfers from Bermuda who overcame calculated, deliberate adversity to become the best golfers of Bermuda in spite of their circumstances.Rev Lowe speaking at Port Royal, summed up events there this week as “Fantastic. They show Bermuda has come a long way, which bodes well not just for the golfing community, but the country as a whole.”