The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

ABOUT 108 golfers from around the world will make up the field of competitors in the second annual Pure Silk Bahamas LPGA Classic next week as the Ladies Professional Golf Association kicks off its 2014 calendar year at the Ocean Club Golf Course on Paradise Island.

Despite the fact that organisers had their hands full reconfiguring the course to complete a rain-drenched tournament last May, tournament director Matt Truax said they are pleased to be able to come back and make this year’s event a very special one.

“We expect the top 108 players in the world to be here next week to compete in the tournament,” Traux said yesterday during a press conference at the Ocean Club Golf Course.”They will be competing for $1,300,000 in prize money.”

Among the list of players expected to participate are Michele Wie, Paula Creamer, Suzanne Pettersen, Yani Tsang, Belen Mozo, Natalie Gulbis, Stacy Lewis, Lexi Thompson, Morgan Pressel, Bahamian Georgette Rolle and Lydia Ko. The defending champion is Ilhee Lee, who made her pro debut in 2010.

Harrison Thompson, the permanent secretary at the Ministry of Tourism, said the Bahamas Government is pleased to welcome the ladies who will be coming to town to compete next week.

“It is important for us in the Ministry of Tourism, as we embark on our sports tourism, to welcome events such as this,” said Thompson, who was accompanied by Virginia Kelly, ‘Golden Girl’ Eldece Clarke and Jeff Rodgers at the press conference. “We are looking forward to really enjoying the golfers when they come to ensure that they learn a lot about the Bahamas.

“We’re looking forward to a great time because in January, we are starting the golf calendar and we are looking forward to welcoming all of the golfers. We know Ms Lee won the title last year. We welcome her back, but we are planning and hoping that our very own Georgette Rolle will win the tournament.”

Through the Ministry of Tourism, Rolle has been afforded one of the two exemptions to play in the tournament that gets started on Monday. During the qualifying round, another Bahamian, Racquel Riley from Grand Bahama, will get a chance to play in the qualifying round in her bid to join Rolle in the main draw.

Craig Flowers, the newly elected president of the Bahamas Golf Federation, said they are delighted to be able to assist the LPGA in exposing the visiting ladies to the Bahamas. “I’m a little depressed because of the rain out that we had last year, but this year we are hoping that we have the weather to support it so that we can see some great golf,” he said. “The Bahamas Golf Federation has committed itself to seeing events like this to fruition for us to be a part of its success.”

Flowers, who calls the golf course his home, said the federation will do whatever is necessary to ensure that the event is a success because the Bahamas can only benefit from it in the long run.

“Thanks for having us here. It’s certainly a milestone in our administration and we intend to see it through to the end,” Flowers said. “You can look for us to be here until the end as we do a lot of things in the name of golf.”

Jennifer Basden, the marketing and communications director at Caribbean Bottling Company Limited, said they are excited to be a part of the tournament as they do their part in giving back to the community and they are looking forward to a fun-filled week.

The Caribbean Bottling Company Limited is expected to be providing a large amount of Coca-Cola drinks for the 400-plus volunteers and golfers who are a part of the tournament.

Robbie Leming, the general manager at the Ocean Club, has revealed that the players won’t have to worry about the course. He indicated that when the golfers start practicing on Monday, they will be on a course that will be in tip-top shape.

“About eight weeks ago, we began the countdown,” he said. “Last year, we were a little unfortunate, but this year, we are looking forward to the kick off of the LPGA tour and hopefully this course will outmatch any other course that they compete on the rest of the year. We are really looking forward to next week. The golf course will be ready and hopefully the weather will cooperate.”

The gates open to the public on Thursday, January 23 and there will be free admission to the public with parking at the Hurricane Hole with shuttle buses taking the spectators to and from the golf course.