SAIL GRAND PRIX OVERVIEW

FOREWORD

Welcome to another exciting edition of Sport Bermuda Magazine! I hope you enjoyed the last one. This one will feature a preview of the upcoming Sail Grand Prix Bermuda, which gets under way in May. Jared Rego informally interviewed rising Bermuda women’s football teen sensation Leilanni Nesbeth, speaking about her career at Florida State University and how she felt winning the NCAA National Women’s Division One Soccer Championship. We also sat and talked to a true Bermudian hero in the area of professional football, who won the North American Soccer League (NASL) with Philadelphia Atoms, Mr Fred “Pinks” Lewis and teammate Ralph “Gumbo” Bean. Both men were alumni of the Berkeley Institute. 

We looked back in history through the career of former Boston banking guru Hootie Johnson, who was the chairman of Augusta National Golf Club. Mr Johnson, who passed away in 2017, was instrumental in affording membership of the famous club to blacks. Writer Mr Joell broke down the relationship that writers of “Sport Bermuda Magazine” had with financial expert Johnson, as well as the connection between Augusta National, and local courses Riddles Bay Golf Club, Mid Ocean Club, and Ocean View Golf Course. Because of this bond, one of Bermuda’s top amateurs could enjoy the opportunity to participate in the prestigious Masters Tournament, held in Augusta, Georgia the first week of April.

In addition to our coverage of the Sail Grand Prix, we featured one of our young sailors being trained through the Endeavour programme, which was initiated during the America’s Cup held in Bermuda back in 2017. This program encourages youth to further enhance their careers and develop a love for sailing and other watersports.

As always, we touched upon two cricket legends who have recently passed on, both from the island nation of Barbados. George Rock came to Bermuda in the late 1970’s to become the national senior coach under the governing body, then called Bermuda Cricket Board of Control. His countryman, Tyrone Smith Sr, arrived a few years later to serve as a police officer. He was thus recruited by the Police Recreation Club, enjoying success winning the Central Counties and league titles, with other known players such as fast bowler Adrian King. Smith enjoyed success in Cup Match with Somerset Cricket Club, along with teammates such as Robert Hinds, Winston Reid and Ricky Hill.

At this moment I would like to send my sincere condolences to good friend Ervin Burgess, who was a Cleveland County and Devonshire Colts fan, as well as a big fan of Dallas Cowboys in the NFL. May his memories last within his family. We are also sad to hear the passing of Mrs Colleen Butterfield, the wife of one of Bermuda’s top cyclists, Whayman Butterfield, and the mother of Zaina and Zende Butterfield. She was the daughter of former Mid-Atlantic Boat Club commodore Colin Clarke, while her brother Mark was also a well-known sailor. Mrs Butterfield once raced the famous “Round the Island Boat Race” with her father. Back in the early years, she was also a softball player for North Village Angels under legendary coach Harold “Doc” Dowling. She will be a miss amongst her friends within the North Village community.

Also included in this edition is a fun quiz of Bermuda sporting history, and the successful entrants can win several prizes, details are in the quiz. Sport Bermuda Magazine thanks the general public who supported the inaugural USA Track and Field Bermuda Games, organised by our very own Bermuda Tourism Authority and sponsored by international business entity Athene Reinsurance, which was held on April 9^th at the newly-renamed Flora Duffy National Sports Centre, you can view a special collage of highlights during the event.

Yours in sport,

Mark “Burger” Jennings

Lead editor, Sport Bermuda Magazine