The Local Qualifier for this year’s Butterfield Bermuda Championship has been extended to 54 holes.

The Bermuda Golf Association and Bermuda Professional Golfers’ Association have revealed that the format has been changed, with 36 holes played on Tuesday, October 17, and the final 18 holes played on Wednesday, October 18.

BGA president Craig Brown said the decision to increase the number of holes was taken to help players earn ranking points.

“This year the Local Qualifier sub-committee unanimously agreed to increase the local qualifier to a 54-hole event,” Brown said.

“The landscape of global golf has changed with greater emphasis now on ranking points in order to qualify to play in top events. This action was taken to provide the next generation of local golfers a pathway to accrue these ranking points in a home event. The opportunity to provide these points will facilitate representation for Bermuda golf in overseas events such as the Central American and Caribbean Games and Pan Am Games.”

Danielle Carrera, tournament director for the Butterfield Bermuda Championship, is again delighted the main event will have Bermuda representation.

“We are excited and proud to support local Bermuda golf talent with the return of the Bermuda Local Qualifier,” Carrera said.

“This year the Local Qualifier will secure the top three Bermudian golfers spots to compete in the Butterfield Bermuda Championship PGA TOUR event. The next three qualifiers will be given be spots in the Butterfield Bermuda APGA Championship being played at Port Royal Golf Course on October 26 to 28, and the overall winner of the APGA event will receive an exemption in the PGA Tour event.”

Michael Sims, Nick Jones and Jarryd Dillas qualified for the main tournament last year, with spots in the APGA Championship secured by Christian Collins, Oliver Betschart, Camino Smith and Damian Palanyandi. Cory Desilva replaced Christian in the APGA event as the next best qualifier.

BPGA president Scott Roy is thrilled with the experience his members have gained in the past few years.

“We are excited to once again to provide a platform for local professional golfers to qualify for a PGA Tour event on home soil,” Roy said.

“Over the years the Local Qualifier event has come to represent hope, growth and opportunity for local golfers. Last year we were able to include qualification to the inaugural APGA event. This year we felt the time was right to add an additional round in order to provide the next generation the best opportunity to represent Bermuda at international events.”

The Local Qualifier is open to professional golfers, amateur golfers, and applicants for reinstatement. To be eligible to compete, participants must possess Bermudian status, be in good standing with the BGA and BPGA and not subject to any disciplinary process or sanction of either association