The PGA of America's Grand Slam of Golf will return to Bermuda's Port Royal Golf Course through 2014

In a win-win scenario for all involved, the PGA of America announced today that its “Grand Slam of Golf” will return to Port Royal Golf Course in Bermuda through 2014.

Port Royal, the host the previous three years, gives the PGA of America a gorgeous golf course with ocean views that helps attract viewers to the telecast. In return, the GSOG - an event that pits the four major champions in a 36-hole exhibition shootout - helps Bermuda stay top of mind as a golf destination. TNT’s prime-time broadcast of the event reaches an audience of more than 400 million households in more than 85 countries. The 2013 event will be televised Oct. 15-16 by TNT next year.

I can’t describe the beauty of Port Royal - designed by the late architect Robert Trent Jones Sr. in 1970 but renovated in 2009 by his sidekick Roger Rulewich - without pictures. See the par-3 16th hole above. The Fairmont Southhampton Hotel, the host hotel, is also a great place.

The PGA Grand Slam of Golf features a $1.35 million purse, with the winner receiving $600,000; second place $300,000; third place $250,000; and fourth place $200,000, but even those cash incentives aren’t enough to guarantee all four major champions will attend. This year, Rory McIlroy backed out, citing schedule conflicts, and Ernie Els cancelled last minute because of injury. My 2012 preview story (click here) never even mentioned replacement Padraig Harrington, who eventually won instead.

Bermuda’s unique location just 600 miles east of North Carolina in the Atlantic Ocean is less than a two-hour flight from most East Coast cities. The tiny island, stretching for 21 miles while surrounded by a 200-square-mile coral reef plateau, has more golf courses per square mile than anywhere in the world. Its pleasant climate allows for year-round golf. (Check out my stories here and here). Besides Port Royal (click here), there’s also fantastic ocean scenery at the Fairmont Southampton par-3 course (click here), the venerable Mid Ocean Club (click here) and Tucker’s Point (click here).

You can book Bermuda tee times online at TravelGolf.com.