By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

RICARDO Davis Jr would have preferred to have had an opportunity to get in more practice time. But he’s confident that he can go to Orlando, Florida, and still make an impact on the professional circuit.

Davis Jr, one of the rising young golf players in the country, left town today to participate in the Florida Professional Golf Tour that will begin on Sunday at the Alaqua Country Club in Longwood, Florida.

“I’m really looking forward to going there and playing very well this year,” said Davis Jr, who made the trip to the tournament last year where he placed 28th overall with scores of 70, 73, 79. “I’ve been working really hard and so this will be a good test to see exactly where I’m right now.”

Davis Jr is expected to be one of the 86 golfers who will tee off. However, he will have to make the cut after the 36 holes in order to play to the end of the tournament on Wednesday, November 11. Davis Jr will be participating in two other tournaments, but he said his focus right now is getting through the first one. “With the limited facilities that we have here to train, it’s been difficult for me,” Davis Jr said. “But I’m looking forward to going to Florida ahead of time so that I can get to practice the next few days before the tournament starts. I have some friends in Florida, but they have an advantage over me because they get to practice every day.

Over the last few weeks, Davis was home working on his game with some of the local golfers at the Bahamas Golf Federation’s Range at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex. One of them, female pro Georgette Rolle, said based on what she’s seen, Davis Jr has definitely improved tremendously and should have a good showing in Florida.

“It is amazing right now how much he has improved,” Rolle said. “He’s playing some amazing golf. I’ve been playing golf with him all summer and the majority of his rounds have been under par. He’s been striking the ball well with a lot of confidence. He’s always at 100 per cent, so I’m really expecting some great things out of him when he participates in the tournament.”

Rolle, who was assisted by Davis Jr when she began her Fourteen Club’s Golf Academy Junior Links Tournament on Saturday at the driving range, said she may be competing before the end of the year. But her focus is really to get ready for the Pure Silk Tournament that will be held here in February at the Paradise Island Golf Club.

“So I may or may not do anything this year. If I do, it would be right in Florida,” she said. “But if I can, I would like to play in a couple of small tournaments before the Silk Tournament comes round next year so that I can sharpen up my mind.”

Davis Jr and Rolle have been complementing each other as they practiced. Now Davis Jr is hoping that he can put his game together next week when he starts the three-tournament tour in Florida.