The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

THE Ladies Professional Golfer’s Association took another step toward developing its relationship with the Bahamas and golf at the development level.

The LPGA hosted another edition of its Junior Clinic on Saturday morning at the Ocean Club, Paradise Island.

The clinic was facilitated by LPGA pro Jaye Green and ran in conjunction with the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic that is played at the same venue each January.

Scores of students and aspiring golfers participated in the event.

“It’s awesome working with this camp. They have a real passion for the game and knowledge for it. It’s great knowing they’ll be excited and prepared for when the tour comes here in January.

“I feel like I’ll recognise some of the kids, they’ll know me and it’s really cool that they have such a passion for golf,” Green said.

“We went through warm up routines before you go out and play. We discussed types of clubs, shots and how to play in wind because this club is so windy, and of course putting tips.”

Green, a two-year veteran on the LPGA tour, finished 11th last year at the PureSilk Bahamas-Classic.

LPGA rookie Sei Young Kim of South Korea sank a 4-foot birdie putt on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff to defeat Sun Young Yoo and Ariya Jutanugarn and capture the tournament title.

“I love playing here on this course. It’s kind of like my second home because it’s so close to where I live. It’s great to come here year after year. It’s probably one of our favourite stops on tour all year because it’s so beautiful, the people are nice and accommodating and it’s a great place to play,” she said, “Being back here helps me to remember how windy this course is and it really helps in terms of preparation.”

The clinic also featured as one of the pre-tournament highlights which coincides with community involvement.

Approximately 20 students and aspiring golfers participated in the one-day clinic back in September, ahead of the 2015 tournament, facilitated by Swedish pro Louise Friberg.

Friberg gave an overview of her path to professional golf before engaging in a question and answer period with the students.

The clinic also included a practical session as participants had an opportunity to take to the range themselves and learn the basics in swing fundamentals from the golf pro.

In 2014, approximately 90 students took part in the Junior Golf Clinic a week prior to the tournament.

The students, from schools throughout New Providence, interacted with golf pros including Jennifer Song, Symetra Tour Alumnae and Kris Tamulis, as well as Rolle – two-time Bahamas national women’s amateur champion.

In two separate sessions, the students were taught the basics of gripping the club, the fundamentals of the golf swing and other techniques.

The pros fielded questions from the students regarding their golfing careers, education and lifestyles. The general message was that hard work pays off.

“Golf has become a large part of my life, so it matters. I love it so much and that’s what makes it so important,” said Rolle, who has been playing for 21 years, starting at the age of seven.

In the inagural edition, Bahamian native Raquel Riley and LPGA players Kathleen Ekey and Paula Reto greeted more than 50 enthusiastic boys and girls for the annual RBC Kids Clinic on the driving range at the Ocean Club Golf Course.

Reto and Ekey, Pure Silk ambassadors, provided instruction answered questions and provided demonstrations to the kids in attendance.

Each of the junior participants received a hat and T-shirt from RBC and later collected the autographs of the three players.

The clinic is a part of the LPGA’s initiative to bring some more awareness to the tournament.

“It’s all about giving back through the game and I love working with juniors and helping the growth and development of the game and on a personal note it helps me to find out the tips and tricks of the course,” Friberg said.

“The main goal is for them to have fun and learn a thing or two. If I can motivate a few of them to continue with the sport I’ve done my job. It’s all about them and having fun and friendships, getting to know each other and creating an inviting experience for them.”

Billed as a star-studded event, approximately 108 players competed on the 72-hole famed Ocean Club Golf Course for a chance to win nearly $200,000 at the 2015 tournament.

It marked the third consecutive year the Ocean Club hosted the Pure Silk Bahamas LPGA Classic.