The Tribune

For budding Bahamian golfers, learning the game from professional golfers on the world-famous Tom Weiskopf-designed Ocean Club Golf Course on Paradise Island was a double treat.

On Tuesday, about 40 students from public, private and home-schooled institutions were coached in basic techniques by Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic participants Bahamian Georgette Rolle, Brittany Lincicome, Florida and Kris Tamulis, Florida.

The clinic was co-ordinated by the tournament organisers and the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, and sponsored mainly by the Royal Bank of Canada (Bahamas).

Samantha Cartwright of the Tourism Cadet and Schools Unit said the Ministry’s involvement is to ensure the brightest and best young people be given the best chance of exposure during these events.

Natasha Wright, assistant manager products, marketing and channels, explained that RBC has a strong connection with golf and sponsoring charitable events; raising $30,000 last year for the Salvation Army.

She said that Junior Golf Clinic helps to build character in young people and expose them to other areas they are interested in. Ms Wright said sponsoring such events is important for the image of the bank to be seen as more than a lending institution.

Samantha Hepburn, a grade six student of Blairwood Academy was happy to learn such basic golfing techniques like golf grip, golf swing, golf follow-through and perfect putting.

Karen Calvesbert, tournament manager said it was important for the LPGA to give back to the sport, which also provides a great opportunity to get young people involved. She said that professional women golfers enjoy interacting with young people, especially visiting other countries on the LPGA tour.

This is the fourth year The Bahamas through the Ministry of Tourism is hosting the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic.

A total of 108 golfers will compete in the fourth annual tournament, which offers a purse of $1.4m, plus a full allocation of points in the Race to the CME Globe season-long competition. The winner receives $195,000 and 500 CME Globe points. Defending champion is Sei Young Kim, the 2015 Louis Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year.

The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) is an American organisation for female professional golfers. The organisation is headquartered in Daytona Beach, Florida, and is best known for running the LPGA Tour, a series of weekly golf tournaments for the elite female golfers from around the world.

The Pure-Silk Bahamas LPGA Classic is the first on the LPGA season and ends on November 20 at the Gold Course of the Tiburón Golf Club in Naples, Florida.