accomplish, up pops another first for the top Bermudian professional golfer.

Accomplishments have been a popular feature for Pearman on the Bermuda circuit during a stellar career over the rolling greens that dot the Island. However, never had the Ocean View pro recorded an individual win at the Goodwill Golf tournament -- until yesterday.

In fact, no Bermudian had ever won what is now the Bacardi Rum Professional Championships in the event's long history.

That barren run came to a triumphant close when the 38-year-old dismantled the junior field, and tamed the beast that is Mid Ocean Club, winning by five strokes.

Pearman produced a stunning, bogey-free round of 66 at the par-71 course in Tucker's Town, brushing away challenges from Dataw Island's Dave Britton, Ron Philo Jr. (Country Club of Vermont), Chris Marshall (Mid Ocean Club) and Kevin Morris (Westchester Hills).

"I got off to a good start and just kept it going,'' said Pearman. "I didn't make any bogeys today, had five birdies, which I haven't done in a long time.

"This year has been a struggle for me, but the first round on Monday I felt something coming along and, from there, I played pretty solid all week.'' Pearman drew inspiration from the fact that no Bermudian had ever won the tournament outright.

Pearman had, in fact, come closest back in 1998, when he birdied the last hole to force a two-way play-off with American Rich Parker, but hit his tee shot on the first extra hole into the left-side bunker and ended up making bogey, while Parker made par.

Pearman wins Goodwill From Page 17 Not this time, as the local left his closest rivals way back on 71.

"I was looking at the booklet Sunday or Monday, where they have all the past winners and I lost in a play-off year before last,'' explained Pearman. "I saw that a local had never won it and I thought it'd be nice if I did, and I played well and did that, so it feels good ... it worked out alright.

"I've been putting well all week. My biggest thing has been to keep the ball in play and try to hit the greens, which I did in hitting 16 greens in regulation.

"I made five birdies and no bogeys, so the putter was working.

"Like I said, this year has been a struggle, so it's nice to finish it off with a nice tournament that'll give me confidence for next year.'' The senior division produced a much closer fought affair, with Jim Miller of Metuchen coming out ahead with a par round of 71.

Miller led home the likes of Greenwich Country Club's pro Jerry Coats, who ended up on 72, as did Steve Spray of St. Louis Country Club.

The Professional Championships marked the end of the 48th edition of the week-long event.

Dwayne Pearman: fired a sizzling 66 to win yesterday's Goodwill Professional Championships at Mid Ocean Club by five shots.

Dwayne Pearman: fired a sizzling 66 to win yesterday's Goodwill Professional Championships at Mid Ocean Club by five shots.