The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

The fifth Pure Silk/Bahamas LPGA Golf Classic got off to a windy start on Monday with the final two spots being settled to complete the picture for 108 of the world’s best female golfers when they tee off on Thursday.

But according to Robbie Leming, manager of the host Ocean Golf Club on Paradise Island, they have gotten used to the unknown potential weather issues that he can go on record as saying that the conditions will be excellent to compete in this weekend.

“So we’re looking for some fantastic scores,” he said during the official press conference yesterday at the course - the event was delayed by a day because of the windy conditions.

“We’re going to be looking at the best playing conditions that we’ve seen in five years.”

To coincide with the weather conditions, Leming assured those in attendance that the golf course has peaked right at the right time. 

“Our maintenance crew and our director of agronomy, Jeff Hood, have done an amazing job preparing the golf course for the tournament but also picking up after Hurricane Matthew,” he said.

“We weren’t hit extremely hard here at the golf course but we did have a lot of preparation to get this golf course in the shape that it’s in.  Like I said, it couldn’t be in better shape.  So we’re really looking forward to competition.”

Jeff Raedle, the tournament director, said the fifth annual classic will kick off the LPGA’s calendar of 35 tournaments for 2017 and they’re looking forward to the spectators being treated to some top-notch competition once again.

“We’ve got the 2016 LPGA Money List leader and five‑time champion, Ariya Jutanugarn representing Thailand here,” Raedle said. “Also in the field are a couple Hall of Famers such as Julie Inkster.  We’ve got the World No. 5, Lexi Thompson and the World No. 8, Brooke Henderson, along with the Bahamas own Georgette Rolle.  We’ve got a very well represented field.”

The first round will begin on Thursday and will conclude on Sunday at approximately 5 p.m. with more than 200 countries expected to tune in for the live coverage on the Golf Channel.

The classic is open to the public Thursday to Sunday.  Admission is free.  We’ve got parking here on Paradise Island and shuttle buses will bring the spectators up to the tournament environs.

On hole 18, which is considered a great finishing hole, there will be a number of hospitality options for our sponsors and dignitaries and Raedle said they have also added a public pavilion this year that will provide some great covered seating for the spectators that come out and enjoy the incredible tournament.

Ellison ‘Tommy’ Thompson, the Director of Tourism at the Ministry of Tourism, welcomed Pure Silk to the Bahamas, calling it the “Super Bowl of event” to go along with golf tournaments in Exuma and Abaco after the Hero Championships at Albany and on the horizon, the IAAF World Relays and the FIFA Beach Soccer.

“The benefit of it is also we have the opportunity to showcase the Islands of the Bahamas to the world and the benefit is the fact that 600 people are here for this event,” Thompson stressed.

“So it’s really great for the Islands of the Bahamas and we’re delighted to have our homegrown talent, Georgette Rolle.  She’s qualified and gotten a sponsor’s pass.  Congratulations. We also have our Racquel Riley, who played yesterday, not as successful but it’s great to have that exposure.”

Today, 14‑year old dynamo, Ashley Michelle, will be playing in the pro‑am.

Rolle, who will be participating in the classic for the fourth time, said she intend to give it 100 percent because she will represent the “core values that are instilled in our youth and more importantly, the junior golfers.

“One day this field will be filled with Bahamians and also other events here in the Bahamas.”

Rolle said she noticed that Riley was right in the thick of things as she completed the back nine, but the windy conditions got the best of her.

“I know she did her best and I am very proud of her,” said Rolle, who beat our Riley for the Bahamas exemption spot last month. “It’s tough playing a field of 32 players for just two spots. But I know that she will preserve and see what happens from here.”

And as long as she keeps her eyes on the prize, get some good rest and work and hard as possible, she will finally get through the final cut on Friday to play in the final on Saturday and Sunday.

Her caddie, Marcus Pratt said Rolle is looking great and her mental capacity than it has ever been so he’s looking for her to “go further than she’s ever been before” because she’s been “working at the course, the more she’s played at home than ever.

Glenn Archer, president of the Bahamas Golf Federation, which hosted a clinic for junior players featuring Rolle and visiting professional players on Saturday at the Driving Range at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.

“We also feel that in the effort to grow the game, we would like to also play a bigger part in making sure that the opportunity is extended to not only the Bahamas but also to our Caribbean brothers,” he stated.

Archer also took the time out to Rolle all of the best after watching Raquel Riley miss out on her chance to qualify on Monday.

“I’m told that at the event on Monday, even though she (Riley) did not success, it was also a sign that we have the ability to perform,” Archer said. “Nonetheless, we have Georgette (Rolle) in the field and we expect that she’s going to give her all and we wish her the very best over next four days.”

This year, Aliv has come on board as one of the newest sponsors, joining 35 different companies that the Caribbean Bottling Company Limited (Coca-Cola), John Bull, Royal Bank of Canada and The Tribune.

Belmar Duncan, the chief commercial officer for Aliv, said the newest cellular phone company in the Bahamas is excited about what they will bring to the table.

“Through our support we have made commitments to connective experiences powered by Aliv for more than one hundred of the world’s best golfers,” Duncan stressed.

During the course of the competition, Duncan said the participants and spectators will get the opportunity to see Aliv in full operation as they go beyond the cutting edge technology. 

“Improving the communities and the world we live in by supporting initiatives and programs that serve the local community,” he said. “Taking part in this event offers the opportunity to show our expanding commitment.”

And Andre Knowles, sales director at Cable Bahamas, said they are delighted to be connected with Aliv as they continue to provide Internet and voice services for the LPGA the last four years.

“It is always a pleasure working with such a professional team of organizers, Jeff and his team.  This year we’re especially proud to support Aliv as a major sponsor of this event,” he pointed out.

“With their superior services our companies provide a full sea of technology service is to the Pure Silk LPGA tournament.  So join the revolution and be Aliv. Please support the LPGA Pure Silk golf tournament at the beautiful Ocean Club Golf Course here in the Bahamas.”