Nearly 100 young Bahamians took advantage of an opportunity to swing with the pros yesterday afternoon.
The Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic staged two junior golf clinics yesterday, where some of the professionals who are here for the four-day classic, got to share their knowledge of the game and their experiences on the tour. More than 50 young golfers took part in the early afternoon session at the Ocean Club Golf Course on Paradise Island, and the remaining students benefitted from the late clinic.
Alejandra Llaneza, currently ranked at number 352 in the global Rolex Rankings, said that it is alway a joy interacting with children and sharing her experiences. The 25-year-old five-time Junior National Champion in her home country of Mexico said that the young golfers remind her of herself when she first got involved in the game at the tender age of six.
"It feels great to be here," she said. "When I was younger, it was always motivational to have the professionals come to my home city, so to be here I'm sure is great for them and it is great for us as well. I was very happy to share this experience with them. A lot of them have very good swings. You have to have passion for the game of golf, and you develop that game from a young age. The main thing is to stay motivated and have faith in yourself. It's very important to have that passion - that's the reason why I play. The game of golf teaches you so many things, from discipline to patience, and just having belief in yourself. It's a very likable game, and the young kids should keep going as long as they can."
Llaneza was in the main draw in last year's rain shortened tourney, but is one of the alternates this year.
The other female professional player at yesterday's late afternoon session was former top ranked amateur in the world Ashlan Ramsey. The American teenager failed to qualify for regular round play which gets underway on Thursday, but she said that she had a tremendous experience here in The Bahamas, particularly the time she shared with the junior golfers yesterday.
"I feel great to be a part of this event. Just to be here sharing my knowledge with some of the local kids is a great feeling," she said. "It's real important to give back. I take a lot of pride in being there for the younger kids because I was there at one point also. A big part of being a professional is to give back to the youth - trying to keep the kids active and interested in playing. It was a fun experience to be out here and see the course, and everything that The Bahamas has to offer. The course here is fantastic and everyone here is so hospitable."
This year, the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) in conjunction with Royal Fidelity, has come on board as one of the local sponsors of the second annual classic, with particular emphasis on the two junior golf clinics. RBC Public Relations Manager Jan Knowles said that the venture fits in with their global strategy of throwing their support behind the game of golf, and sports in general.
"RBC globally is big on golf," said Knowles. "We were pleased to help sponsor this event. These kids are The Bahamas' junior golfers and just for them to come here today and have a clinic with these professional ladies could do wonders for their careers. To be here is huge for these kids, and I am so glad that they were able to come. We're a sponsor of the overall tournament, and we wanted to make sure that there was a community element to our sponsorship, so the junior clinics were a part of the overall sponsorship. We might say it's only one or two sessions, but these kids can really get a lot out of these clinics. The junior golf program seems to be growing, and the older ones are doing pretty well."
The excitement among the junior golfers was evident as it showed on their faces and in the many questions they asked the two professional women golfers.
"It was good for them to come out and teach us how to get better in the game of golf. It was a lot of fun," said nine-year-old Jared Forbes, a student of Genesis Academy. His classmate Ethan Missick, who is coincidentally born on the same day, said that it was a great experience learning from the professionals.
"It was great because we got to take a break from our old golf field and come out here to get better," said Missick. "I think that the two ladies were great because they came all the way from their countries to teach us."
Dwaniqua Thurston, 10, also enjoyed the experience.
"It was a good experience. The ladies were very nice. I learned how to hit the ball straight and further," she said.
Yvonne, former Chairman of the Junior Division of the Bahamas Golf Federation (BGF), and current Chairman of the Ladies Division, said that the youngsters are always excited to be a part of the clinics.
"We did this last year, and they were excited then as well. We are so happy that the LPGA asked for us to come again," she said. "I'm sure it was a great experience for the kids again. They are always happy to come. It was difficult with the clinics being held on a school day this year, but there was still a good turnout."
Bahamian Georgette Rolle, Grad Assistant Coach at Texas Southern University, will once again play in the main draw which gets underway on Thursday and will run until Sunday. She accepted a sponsor exemption into the field of 108 players in the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) season-opening event. Rolle along with Jennifer Song and Kris Tamulis served as instructors and answered questions from the young crowd during the early afternoon clinic, and Llaneza and Ramsey conducted the late clinic.
"It was a good feeling to introduce golf to so many young people," said Rolle, a two-time Bahamas National Amateur Champion. "I hope that they will grow to see how much fun and how rewarding golf can be."
One of those involved in the early afternoon clinic was nine-year-old Cameo Stuart Jr., who came prepared with his own clubs and golf glove. The third grader at the Meridian School was one of the few who had golf experience. He has been playing the game for three years.
The Golf Channel will showcase the classic, with 10 hours of live coverage from 11:30 -2:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and from 3-5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

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