Test your iron game at the Bacardi World Par 3 Championships at the Fairmont Southampton in Bermuda

It’s probably too late to book your entry into the fourth annual Bacardi World Par 3 Championships at the Fairmont Southampton and its Turtle Hill Golf Club in Bermuda.

The event begins Friday and wraps up Sunday. But this is a tournament to consider down the road.

It’s the world’s premier par-3 shootout, attracting more than 180 participants from around the globe, including a number of noted professionals. Legendary English professional golfer Tony Jacklin will attend as guest of honor and former PGA TOUR player and current Golf Channel analyst Charlie Rymer will participate in this year’s tournament. Other noted professionals scheduled to compete include former PGA TOUR player Ian Leggatt, European Senior Tour winner Delroy Cambridge, Canadian Tour players Nick Taylor (2011 champion), Ian Doig (2012 champion) and Chris Baryla.

Participation in the two-day, 36-hole championship is open to men and women who are professionals and amateurs. It also offers an open Senior Division. Entry is both affordable ($275 for professionals and $200 for amateurs) and essentially open to all (amateur players must carry a handicap of 24 or less and proof of handicap is required upon registration).

I haven’t played in the event, although I love the island (read a review here, here and here) and The Fairmont Southampton (read a review here). I even played the Turtle Hill course just a month or so before last year’s tournament (read the preview here). High winds blew my scores away, but it’s a fun, challenging track for sure. The Ted Robinson design delivers plenty of ocean vistas (see the photo above).

The Fairmont Southampton offers world-class luxury, a renowned Willow Steam Spa and a private beach club. The historic 340-year-old AAA Four-Diamond Waterlot Inn Restaurant just a short walk or shuttle ride from the resort was my favorite meal on the island. Now’s the time to visit Bermuda, which is located off the coast of North Carolina.

For information, please visit www.fairmont.com/southampton-bermuda or e-mail Anthony.mocklow@fairmont.com about the tournament. Click here to book Bermuda tee times.