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Poitier sisters looking ahead

Top golfer Cameron Riley shares a special moment with the Poitier sisters - Zion, Zaire and Zeden. Photo: Chappell Whyms Jr

Top golfer Cameron Riley shares a special moment with the Poitier sisters - Zion, Zaire and Zeden. Photo: Chappell Whyms Jr

By BRENT STUBBS

Chief Sports Editor

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

SINCE March 3, 2022, the Poitier sisters -  Zaire and twins Zion and Zeden - have been making an impact on the local youth golf scene. 

Now they’re hoping to do the same on the international scene.

Their mother, Denise Poitier, revealed that her daughters are heading off to play in three tournaments in the Pinehurst Local Tour in Pinehurst, North Carolina from January 25 to February 2.

“After a little Christmas break, it’s time for them to get back at it,” Poitier said. “This is the first one for the year, but we have booked to stay for the full 10 days because we know they will be in the championship on February 1.” 

Her confidence rose after Zaire clinched her first tournament hole-in-one on hole number-6 118 yards at one of the Bahamas Golf Federation’s Saturday matches at the Driving Range. 

She decided to save the ball, indicating that she will put it on display when she gets into the Hall of Fame.

Also, Zion had four rounds under-par to drop her handicap to 12 during the US Kids Under-8 Tournament, while Zeden made it to the Sub Regional finals for the PGA Drive and Putt, placing second. 

The trio are taking advantage of the opportunity to watch the players participate in the Korn Ferry Tour, which has moved the Great Exuma Classic this week to the Ocean Club on Paradise Island due to the fact that the Exuma club is currently under renovations.

“They get to see what is possible,” mother Poitier said. “It’s one thing to go to practice (with coach Georgette Rolle-Harris and the Fourteen Clubs Golf Academy).

“But when they talked to the players during the camp on Saturday and to our own Cameron Riley, who is playing in the tournament, they were excited to get as much exposure as they could to help enhance their games.”

While the focus is on their game, their education is just as much a priority through the benefit of their homeschooling, supervised by mother Poitier.

“Now that I am planning for the 10 days in North Carolina, I am also planning their lessons,” she pointed out. “I’m planning what time is practice, what time is their lessons and what time they will play in the tournament. Thank God we have that flexibility.”

The sisters, who had an opportunity to share a special moment with Riley, indicated that they are all pleased with the progress they are making.

“It was really exciting because I realised that I was the first one to make the hole-in-one,” said Zaire, the oldest of the crew at nine. “I felt really excited because if I made a hole-in-one, I would have gotten a party.”

True to form, mother Poitier said they gave it to her. 

Zaire said she’s now looking forward to going to Pinehurst for their first tournament this year and after the inspiration they are getting from the pro players here, they expect to perform very well.

For Zion, who along with her twin, Zeden, are eight, said her performance in the US Kids Under-8 Tournament was “amazing. It was a lot of walking too. But I know I have to get used to it.”

When they all got started a few years ago, she said they struggled a bit, but now “we’re winning and we’re going to play tournaments all over the world.”

She added that she’s excited to see the pro players perform in the tournament, but she would definitely like to see someone hit a hole-in-one.

And Zeden said it would be nice if she can make her “hole-in-one” because she really wants a “poppy.” 

She said she has been inspired by the performances of the pro players here.

And, hopefully, he said it will inspire her and her sisters when they perform.

Mother Poitier is encouraging the public to support her daughters through their gofundme under their father, Philip Poitier’s fundraiser “Empower PoitierGirlsGolf @ US Kids Golf Pinehurst Tournament.”

In addition to the Pinehurst Tournament, the Poitier sisters will also compete in the BGF’s Junior Nationals at the Ocean Club; the US Kids Local Tour; the T&T Tour in Trinidad & Tobago; the PGA Drive Chip & Putt in Miami, Florida; the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando, Florida; the World Championships in Pinehurst, North Carolina and the Holiday Classic in Naples, Florida.

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