An early start and blazing sunshine did not deter the golfing stars of the future from showing off their expertise in the Cayman Islands Golf Association (CIGA) Junior Skills Challenge.
More than 60 children aged between 7 and 16 years old participated in the competition on 27 Sept., which took place on the eighth hole of The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Grand Cayman – testing their drive, chip and putt skills.
Prizes were awarded for the top three golfers in each skill and then an overall 1st, 2nd and 3rd for the aggregate of their scores in each skill. The full results were posted shortly after the tournament.
Inspiration for the competitors was provided by golfing stars Justin Hastings, Aaron Jarvis and Andrew Jarvis, who turned up in person to offer advice, sign hats and golf balls and demonstrate the secrets of their golfing success.
The event was sponsored by The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club and organised by Trinda Blackmore and Jenny Frizzelle of CIGA, with support from a team of 15 volunteers. It was an inaugural event for Cayman, but one which Blackmore hopes will become a regular occurrence.
“It’s been a great day for both experienced and new golfers,” said Blackmore. “We’ve got a wide range of skills and ages here, and it gives them some tournament experience and to showcase the skills that they’ve been learning.”
Sophia Santiago, 12, was encouraged to play golf by her dad and tries to play most weekends. “I like hitting good shots and seeing how far they go,” she said. “I think I hit 154 yards today.”
Her friend Priya Munden, 11, was also encouraged to play by her father. “I was good at driving today, but I think I did best at chipping,” she said.
Both girls attend Cayman International School and say that more girls should take up golf.
Joseph Fantasin, 14, of CF School, took up golf just a few months ago, but was happy to get up at 6am to take part in the tournament.
“My favourite skills test was probably the chip, because I really like the challenge of trying to get it in,” he said. It was a full day of sport for Fantasin, who headed off to play hockey straight after the morning tournament.
“It’s a great thing for them to do,” said his proud mother, Margaret. “I don’t think I’d appreciated how much it was a mental challenge as well, to go out and play in front of everyone.”
