The Progressive Labour Party won a third term in office yesterday after a bitterly-fought general election. Premier Ewart Brown’s party beat the opposing United Bermuda Party, winning 24 of the 36 seats in the House of Assembly.
Ariel Sands will be closing for major redevelopment on January 1 2008. It is expected to reopen as a timeshare development in approximately three years.
The PGA of American has confirmed that the PGA Grand Slam of Golf will return to Bermuda in 2008. It will be held at the Mid Ocean Club on October 14 and 15. The off-season tournament brings together the winners of the four major men’s tournaments and will be broadcast live on TNT television.
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has signed a deal with the Bermuda government that will see at least two of the company’s new Panamax ships visiting the island until 2018. Under the terms of the 10-year agreement, commencing in 2009, each ship will make at least 22 visits per cruise season. NCL has also agreed to sponsor the Bermuda Music Festival and extend their Freestyle Dining Ashore Programme.
The Bermuda National Trust has a new leader. Bermudian Jennifer Gray will take over the role of Executive Director in January next year. She replaces Derrick Morris who resigned in October after just 9 months in charge.
The World Rugby Classic will be held at Bermuda’s National Sports Centre from November 4 to 10. The annual tournament features former international players and is now in its 20th year. 2006 champions the Classic Lions will be defending their title against Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Argentina, France, Canada and the United States. Tickets for the bleachers cost $25 and are available on the door.
Visitors with out tickets to this month’s PGA Grand Slam of Golf will be able to watch the event for free on a giant screen in Hamilton. On October 17, the final day of the tournament, coverage of the event will be shown live on a 30-foot projection screen at Barrs Bay Park, Hamilton Harbour.
Tiger Woods has pulled out of next month’s PGA Grand Slam of Golf at Bermuda’s Mid Ocean Club. A statement on his website said, ‘Qualifying for the PGA Grand Slam of Golf is very meaningful to me because it signifies you have won a major championship. As much as I would enjoy going to Bermuda, I have played a lot of golf late in the year and need to shut it down for a while. Hopefully, I’ll qualify again and I look forward to competing again in the future.’
Defending champion Woods will be replaced by Jim Furyk.
Fairmont Hotels and Resorts have sold the Hamilton Princess hotel in Bermuda, to Goodman Hospitality Investments of Seattle. The deal also included two other Fairmont hotels in Acapulco, Mexico.
Fairmont will continue to manage the hotel with no changes in staff or management. The change will, however, herald the start of an extensive renovation project that will include guest room upgrades and refurbishment of the hotel’s restaurants, gym, lobby, spa, and pool.
NCL has announced the launch of its new Golf Bermuda program that will offer its passengers advanced tee time bookings on Bermuda’s golf courses, club rental, and transportation to and from the course.
The company is also offering its guests tickets for the PGA Grand Slam of Golf, to be held at the Mid Ocean Club on October 16-17 2007. They are available from their website until September 14.