By JONATHAN BURROWS
Tribune Sports Reporter
jburrows@tribunemedia.net
THE government is looking to expand golf infrastructure beyond New Providence, with Minister of Youth and Sports Mario Bowleg pointing to potential private-sector partnerships to develop and upgrade courses on the Family Islands.
Bowleg said the government was exploring ways to support golf facilities in Grand Bahama, where he noted that players currently lacked a suitable place to play, while also considering how public land and private investment could be used to expand access to the sport. His comments came yesterday during a press conference at the Andre Rodgers National Baseball Stadium, where the Ministry of Youth and Sports recognised Team Bahamas following its historic victory at the Caribbean Golf Association (CGA) Four-Ball Championship in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos, October 6-10.
“I know in Grand Bahama they have no place to play golf right now, and I’m in communication with them on how we could work together on one or two of the courses there, that the government could partner to help keep the development and upgrade of the greens so that they can do and play golf,” Bowleg said.
He said the government recognised its responsibility to help the sport grow throughout the country by ensuring that green spaces were available, while acknowledging that maintaining and developing golf courses would require private-sector involvement. “Whether we can maintain all of them, that is definitely not something we can do. So we need private partnerships in those cases,” he said.
Bowleg also pointed to work previously undertaken to advance golf facilities in New Providence, indicating that upgrades to the existing nine-hole Baillou Hill Sporting Complex Golf course should begin soon.
He said partnerships would be important in identifying land and developing facilities in other islands where golf opportunities remain limited.
The minister’s comments come as The Bahamas seeks to build on a breakthrough performance at the CGA Four-Ball Championship, where the national team captured the Ambrose Gouthro Cup for the first time, ending Jamaica’s dominance of the overall competition since its inception in 2020.
Bowleg congratulated the Bahamas Golf Federation and the players, saying their achievement reflected the progress being made in the sport, from junior development to national representation at regional competitions.
He also called on corporate sponsors to support the team and the continued development of golf, noting that financial assistance can help players travel and compete internationally.
The championship victory was built on performances across six divisions, with The Bahamas securing two division titles and additional podium finishes.
Richard Gibson Jr and Nolan Johnson won the men’s Mid-Amateur division for players aged 35 and over, while Raymond Gibson and James Wallace captured the men’s Legends division for players aged 70 and over.
Horace Miller and Leroy Williamson finished second in the men’s Super Senior division for players aged 60 and over.
Inecia Rolle and Tanika Sandiford Markey placed second in the women’s division for players aged 25 and over, while Kyshna Radnetter and Giselle Pyfrom finished fourth in the women’s division for players aged 45 and over.
Kelsey Rolle and Michael McAleer placed fourth in the men’s Senior division for players aged 50 and over.
Bowleg said the development of golf must begin at the grassroots level, highlighting the progress of young players who have moved from government primary schools into high school competitions and are now challenging more experienced golfers.
Over the past four and-a-half years, he said, he had watched the growth of high school golf nationals and seen young people develop their skills through opportunities that might otherwise have been unavailable to them.
He credited the Bahamas Golf Federation, including its junior programme, with helping identify and develop young talent, while emphasising the importance of giving children from inner-city communities greater access to the sport.
“Finding those diamonds in the rough” was an important part of the process, Bowleg said, adding that the progress of young golfers showed why investment in development programmes mattered.
Nolan Johnson, who partnered with Gibson to win the Mid-Amateur division, said expanding the sport’s reach would require the federation to strengthen its junior development work, recruit more volunteers and encourage parents to consider golf alongside other activities for their children.
Johnson said several members of the current national team had developed through the federation’s junior programme, demonstrating the value of investing in young golfers.
He also argued that golf facilities should be more welcoming to people from different backgrounds, noting that misconceptions about the sport being exclusive could discourage potential participants.
“There are a lot of hidden gems that are there, for the most part, may be overlooked,” Johnson said, referring to young people in inner-city communities who could benefit from opportunities to play.
Johnson said the sport was experiencing renewed interest among young people after a period of slower growth, but maintained that more could be done to reach a wider audience.
Johnson said the previous result was disappointing, particularly after he and his partner had finished second in their division at an earlier championship. He felt the team had lacked a key element in Jamaica, but this year’s group was stronger in its preparation, chemistry and execution.
“This year’s team exceeded all areas,” Johnson said. “We didn’t lack chemistry. We were complete in our preparation for the event, as well as our execution. So I think that really put us over the hump this year.”
Johnson said the team would need to review its performance and identify the strengths that contributed to the victory as it prepares for future competitions.
He also highlighted the importance of starting strongly, noting that The Bahamas had historically found itself trying to recover from slow starts at regional events.
Tanika Sandiford Mackey, who represented The Bahamas alongside Inecia Rolle in the women’s 25-and-over division, said the team’s depth was a major factor in its success.
She was particularly proud of the women’s 45-and-over partnership, Kyshna Radnetter and Giselle Pyfrom, who recovered from a difficult opening day to improve over the final two rounds.
Mackey said women’s performances had often been an area where The Bahamas struggled to collect enough points, making their contribution especially important to the overall result.
After taking 11 years away from golf following the birth of her child, Mackey said she returned to competition and helped The Bahamas secure its first overall title.
The team also received praise for its preparation and resilience at Royal Turks and Caicos Golf Club, where gusting winds, fast greens and tight fairways challenged the players.
Some members also had golf equipment and clothing delayed during transit and did not receive their belongings until after the first round.
Despite those setbacks, the players worked with their partners to adjust to the course and produce the results needed to win the championship.
Bowleg said the government remains open to hosting regional competitions in The Bahamas, which would allow local players to compete on home soil and give residents the opportunity to watch high-level golf.
The challenge now is to build on the historic victory by strengthening junior development, improving access to courses and securing the partnerships needed to sustain the sport’s growth throughout the islands.