By TENAJH SWEETING

Tribune Sports Reporter

tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

OVER 20 junior golfers participated in the school golf championships tryouts hosted at the Bahamas Golf Federation’s (BGF) nine-hole golf course yesterday.

Golfers ranging from ages 6-14 ran through various golf skills including putting and chipping exercises in hopes of making the cut for the fifth School Golf Championships scheduled for next year.

Payton Haye, a golf instructor at Fourteen Clubs Golf Academy, talked about the importance of the golf tryouts.

“Today we are going through a few skills, putting, chipping and then we are gonna go on the golf course today for course management. We are trying to test their skills to see how their skills have developed and how they could possibly use them during the school golf championships if they succeed,” she said.

The golf tryouts commenced on Monday at the facility and, by day two, the golf instructor was impressed by the talent level she saw across the various age groups from both the private and public school golfers.

“I am honestly very impressed, especially with some of the kids I haven’t seen before. The techniques that they use just to complete the tasks that they were given through tryouts, it’s been pretty good for amateur golfers and beginner junior golfers,” she said.

The national school golf championships has steadily grown in its four years of existence. With the championships moving into its fifth year, Haye spoke about the positive growth the sport has experienced at the youth level.

“The school golf championships have definitely progressed a whole lot. We definitely have a lot more kids and schools involved. In the beginning, we had a few schools that came out and participated or a few kids from schools that participated as individuals but now we have bigger groups of schools including private schools, public schools and even home schools that are coming out to participate. They have developed a whole lot of programmes, have a lot more teams so everybody is now included more in golf and the word is getting out about it,” she said.

Jolie Lockhart, 14, was at the golf tryouts for the second straight day and shared where her interest in the sport began.

“I like playing golf with my uncle. I want to learn more about how to do it and my friends are also interested in it so I also wanted to have something to do with them as well,” she said.

The St Augustine’s College student said she needs a bit more practice but is feeling a bit more comfortable in her play.

“I just need to practice more but I am feeling comfortable so far. I am also enjoying it,” she said. 

The golf tryouts are scheduled to continue today at the same venue from 10am to 1pm. Today will be the last day for tryouts.