CADDIE'S ROLE:It is was the most generous week of the year for us caddies, all due to the PGA of America

THE MID-OCEAN amphitheatre was the scene of the Champions reception of the 26th Grand Slam of Golf held in the idyllic old-world island of Bermuda early last week. The distinguished guests, caddies included, gathered to celebrate the 92nd year of the existence of the PGA of America.

A vibrant introduction video pulsed around the room from giant screens indicating the passion that the association and its members have for the game of golf. A long list of past champions from Bobby Jones to Pádraig Harrington featured in footage from their finest defining moments as winners of major championships.

The two current major championship holders, Trevor Immelman and our own Pádraig with his two titles alongside their wives and caddies were introduced to the audience as were past US Open Champions Retief Goosen and Jim Furyk who made up the quota of four for this year's Slam.

Brian Whitcomb, the president of the PGA, spoke passionately about his association and the game of golf and encouraged us to enjoy the warm and generous hospitality of Bermuda and the PGA. For all guests, of which there were many, this was a great way to celebrate in the success of the association.

The PGA encouraged us to "have a little fun" during the Grand Slam week, courtesy of them. It is without doubt the most generous week of the year for us caddies, all due to the inclusive nature of the PGA of America.

Jim Huber, the highly-respected American sports commentator sat in an easy chair on stage in a comfortable lounge set-up and gave his view of this year's majors. His style is reminiscent of the stately Alistair Cooke's quiet anecdotal tone in his legendary radio show Letter from America.

Huber has a timeless, soothing voice that could console a fund manager that the recent financial crises was nothing more than an unfortunate triple bogey amid a fine round of golf.

First to join Huber in "his front room" was the Masters champion, Immelman. The message that the South African relayed was that winning the Masters, even last week, did not seem real.

To me Immelman seemed too in awe of the tournament he had won and not convinced he belonged alongside the legends that have donned the coveted Green jacket in the past.

Next came Pádraig and in his own inimitable fashion looked perhaps like he shouldn't belong but of course he most definitely does belong to the triple Major Champions Club. Pádraig eased into Huber's salon and continued to beam out his infectious grin across the Mid-Ocean room as he explained the run up to the first of his two major wins this year.

It was all about the punch bag incident on the Saturday night before the British Open and after his Irish PGA victory. Pádraig explained through Huber about his right-handed practice routine which he felt left the left hand with no attention in his strict practice regime.

So the Open champion chuckled self-effacingly and said he was adopting the same procedure for his left hand in order to give it and its owner "something to do".

Both the candid nature of such a champion and his good nature had the assembled guests chuckling heartily. I overheard a lady sitting behind me declaring "Isn't he just the nicest guy ever."

The other two invitees reminisced about their past victories with the affable announcer and then we all retired to the ballroom for a selection of fine foods prepared by the local master chefs.

Of course we were there ultimately to compete for the Grand Slam title, however distracted we had become with the relaxed nature of the Bermudian atmosphere. Once we arrived on the first tee it was the competitors who presented themselves albeit with a holiday countenance.

The Masters champion Immelman did not play well. My man, Retief Goosen, played well but failed to convert the numerous birdie chances he created. Pádraig played solidly and putted like a demon. However, the eventual winner, Furyk, plodded along in his traditional steady manner capturing the 26th Grand Slam trophy in the first play-off hole against Pádraig.

In case you got the impression that this was just a junket you would be mistaken. I chatted with Pádraig as we descended from the 18th tee during the first round. The walk from the tee was the only place you could get a clear view of the pin on the last hole. As we talked Pádraig excused himself as he shimmied off track so that he could eye up his approach shot in advance, which would have been impossible from beside his ball down on the fairway. Harrington's diligence and focus are never in doubt, no matter where he is playing.

On a personal note, I extended my stay on Bermuda along with Retief and his family for a few days after the event.

Retief invited me along on the final night for a farewell dinner after five years of service. The location for our final feast together was appropriately named "Elbow Beach".