The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

TIMOTHY Munnings, director of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, encouraged the golfers to cherish the relationships they forge here this week as he officially opened the 32nd Caribbean Amateur Junior Golf Championships.

Munnings’ remarks were made during a brief ceremony last night at SuperClubs Breezes where a march pass of athletes took place, a few other speeches were made, a junkanoo rush-out was performed and some light refreshments served.

Now the stage is set for the three days of competition at the Albany Golf Course, starting today. Tee off for the first round is at 8:30am.

Representing the Minister of Sports Lanisha Rolle, Munnings said the championships will enable players to rekindle old friendships and develop new ones. He advised the young golfers to take advantage of it because those relationships last a long time.

Munnings also congratulated the parents who supported their children in getting to this level and he further advised the golfers not to forget the sacrifices that they made on their behalf.

And he thanked the Caribbean Golf Association for affording the Bahamas Golf Federation the opportunity to host the tournament at Albany where legendary Tiger Woods and some of the world’s most famous golfers came to play.

Tyrone Sawyer, the senior director of airlift development for the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, thanked SuperClubs Breezes for their hospitality and the Albany Golf Club for hosting the tournament.

“Golf is one of the most notable and intense competitions that reside side by side,” Sawyer stated. “And straddling on top of it all is something called sportsmanship.

“As a competitor, golfers you will learn a lot about yourself. The real leaders and the real golfers are the ones who excel in the sport. So that’s your challenge over the next few days.”

Sidney Wolf, president of the CGA, said they are delighted to be staging this year’s prestigious junior golf championships at Albany, which played host to some of the best professional golfers in the world at the Hero’s Golf Championships.

He thanked Albany and their staff for opening their doors to stage the tournament and the BGF for preparing the tournament. He also singled out Alena Hutchinson, Keno Turnquest and Georgette Rolle, former junior players, who are all making their contribution to the success of the tournament.

And Lynford Miller, president of the BGF, welcomed the golfers and their supporters to the Bahamas and he wishes that they would enjoy the fine hospitality that is being offered by the Bahamian people.

As this is a team competition, Bahamas manager Alena Hutchinson said her squad is ready to compete.

“The team is strong. They will perform at their best and I’m excited to see what happens this week,” she said. “It’s good that we are hosting the event because it adds a lot of support.

“Being our home, our volunteers as well as the Bahamas Golf Federation do a wonderful job in organising events, so we are just happy to be here and happy to be playing.”

With the competition being staged in the 11-13, 14-15 and 16-18 age groups for boys and girls, Hutchinson said their aim is for Team Bahamas to win all six titles, an improvement from the 5th place finish last year in Trinidad & Tobago.

“We have a super strong team this year. If they play and just stay in the moment, they can do great things this year,” she said.

Hutchinson, who is being assisted on the coaching staff by Cameron Riley and Inecia Rolle, said they expect for Puerto Rico, the perennial champions, and Jamaica to provide their stiffest challenge. Haylie Turnquest, who will carry the Bahamas flag in the girls’ 16-18 division, is back for her fifth appearance in the tournament and she’s thrilled to be playing at home.

“I’m looking to see how everyone plays because we all have a lot of experience on this course, so with our chemistry, we should be able to pull it off,” said Turnquest, who will celebrate her 17th birthday on Sunday, July 28.

Haylie, who is home-schooled, said she’s looking to see how well the visiting players participate on the course, considering the fact that many of them didn’t have a chance to get in a practice round. “We have a very good team and I have a lot of faith in all of them,” she added.

And Heathcliff Kane, a 15-year-old making his second team appearance, said they hope to take advantage of the home grounds and prevail with the title on Saturday.

“Hopefully we will all be ready to play tomorrow (today),” he said. I’m looking for everyone doing their best and that is to try and win. That is the ultimate goal.”

The tournament will conclude on Friday when the new champions will be crowned in a closing out ceremony and awards presentation at the Albany Golf Club.