The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

For the fifth time, Georgette Rolle will carry the Bahamian flag at the Ladies Professional Golf Association's Pure Silk Bahamas Classic.

In preparation for this year's tournament that will run from Thursday to Sunday at the Ocean Golf Club on Paradise Island, Rolle has been working on her game and her caddie Marcus Pratt said she will be ready.

"So far, she's looking very good. I think she's going to show up this time better than she's ever showed up," said Pratt, who has served as Rolle's caddie for her past three appearances.

"She's going to do something that we all expect from her. She has improved on her iron shots this year and dialing them in.

"That was the biggest problem for her last year. She needed to be more specific at the greens and I think she has improved on that."

Pratt, who works with Rolle at Baha Mar, said they first forged a relationship on the golf course and that has extended to their relationship developing further in the clubhouse.

"We have been gelling very well and because of that, she is more relaxed with me on the bag," Pratt said.

"This year, I'm going to up the relaxation and she will be on automatic whereby she won't feel any tension at all."

Rolle said Pratt is so careful that he makes it so much easy for her to approach her game because he "believes in the unbelievable.

"Last year he opened up in an army suit. I don't know what he will do this year, but he really keeps me motivated."

Last year, 32-year-old Rolle had her best showing with rounds of 76-74 for a total of 150, but it wasn't enough for her to make the cut.

Tribune Sports sat down with Rolle in her office at Baha Mar where she works as an assistant golf pro and she spoke candidly about her appearance in this year's tournament.

Trib: How do you feel about making your fifth appearance in the tournament?

Rolle: "I have been preparing since November and I think I have put in more work than I've ever done before. I feel like I'm in a calmer state than I've ever been, so I feel I'm ready."

Trib: Is there any pressure as a Bahamian to be playing against the field of competitors at home?

Rolle: "There is always pressure, but I'm not going to let it get to me. This time, I'm not going into it with the mindset that I have to do well or people will think that I have failed. I know I am a great teacher and so I am approaching it in much calmer state to just do my best."

Trib: What will you do differently as you approach this one that you didn't do in the previous ones?

Rolle: "Aside from the practices, I've had a different training routine, just trying to make sure that I am focused and I will be operating as close to 100 percent as I can with my physical and technical game and so far it has been productive.

"We used the qualifier as a tester and I used those results to build on my preparation for the tournament. So I think I'm ready. I'm just waiting on Thursday to start playing."

Trib: Is there anything that you need to work on over the next few days?

Rolle: "I always think that there is a lot that you can learn everyday. I know I just have to improve on my putting game. I think all of the players will have to adjust their game because of the forecasted weather, but I'm hoping to spend a lot of time just working on my putting game."

Trib: If you had to pinpoint your strength, what would it be?

Rolle: "I'm a good driver of the golf ball. I'm been working on ensuring that I can penetrate my shots. I want to try to always be in control of my ball flight and dedicate how it will happen."

Trib: How do you feel having the tournament here in your backyard?

Rolle: "I don't have to travel far. That's a good thing. This year, a lot of my Fourteen Clubs Golf Academy players and their parents will be volunteering and helping out at the tournament, so the greatest thing about that is that they will be out there to cheer me on. So my hunger to succeed is at a different level."

Trib: If there were any players on the tour whom you would like to play with or against, who would it be?

Rolle: "I like the fiery players. So Stacy Lewis is an all-focused fiery player and I like that. Cristie Kerr is also fiery and so is Shanshan Feng. Those are some players with their fearless personalities that I would like to play against. They do it so effortlessly. They just go out there and take care of business."

Trib: "As the country's ambassador in the clubhouse, what do the players ask you about the Bahamas?

Rolle: "They talk about going to the beach, not so much about partying, but they talk about the beach and I've had the chance to drive some of them around town and they were impressed with the culture of our people. They just want to get away and have some fun before they get back to business."

Trib: "How do you intent to take care of our business on the course this year? Are you going to be colorful?

Rolle: "I will be fully dressed in Baha Mar outfits. It wouldn't be anything fiery, but we will see how it goes. I think I will have some fun. My gear will be recognizable."

Trib: "What do you think it will take for you to make the cut this year and continue playing on the final two days of competition?

Rolle: "Looking at the scores like this, I think anything between a plus one to three will get me there. I think I can do it this year. I'm looking forward to it. I'm going to give it my best shot."

Trib: How do you joggle your commitments with the BGF, Fourteen Clubs and your job at Baha Mar and still find the time to train for the tournament?

Rolle: I should not be doing as much as I am leading into the tournament, but I have people from Baha Mar like the Director of Golf Sean Carast and the head golf pro Andy Veira as well as persons in Fourteen Clubs, who made sure that I get to continue everything I do and practice at the same time. That is why I am so calm going into it."

When asked to sum up who Georgette Rolle is, she told The Tribune that while she not not have taken the part that she did to play on the LPGA Tour, she's satisfied with the progress she's made and she will continue to teach the youngsters so that there is someone who can follow in her footsteps and go even further than she did.