Why golf in Trinidad, ‘will grow among the palms’
“Because of the preparation of Tony (Bennett) I think my trip was very useful and a good follow up. I believe that, after we have completed the initial intake, we will have started the process of growing the game of golf in Trinidad & Tobago.”
This far-reaching conclusion was tabled recently by Dutch Development Consultant Jim van Heuven van Staereling, after he had spent nearly two weeks on the Caribbean islands helping to plant the seeds of a golfing culture that can germinate and blossom among the palm trees.
The Trinidad trip was made under the auspices of the joint-initiative with The R&A, who fund the Golf Development Programme from Open Championship surpluses.
Tony Bennett, the Director of Education, made the first visit there in 2008 at the request of The R&A who had been approached by the Trinidad and Tobago Golf Federation for guidance, and possible support, in growing the game along tried and tested lines.
An essential part of the process is to assess what an emerging country has at its disposal in terms of resources, facilities, amateur players and would-be professionals before recommending a structured way forward.
These preparatory steps have been taken in terms of the two R&A-funded visits. Now Jim van Heuven’s report is being perused and considered at St Andrew’s prior to what is likely to be a three-year programme being suggested with the latter making further visits to oversee its progress.
An important part of the project is to help the leading PGA pro there, Chris Harries, to write and implement a National Junior Development Programme and also to advise on how best to use the various individuals involved, and their strengths, in order to achieve the GFTT’s objectives.
The recommendations suggest that junior golf must be led by Chris Harries and that the main goal for this department is to grow the game and develop it at grass roots level.
At the moment the Federation has 160 junior members and this needs to be increased to 500 over a 5 years period… around 70 extra players per year, regarded as a reachable goal. To achieve it the Federation has to go to the schools and involve PE teachers or advise volunteers at the clubs on how to create ’a proper junior programme.’
An overall aim is to produce more players like T&T’s No.1 ‘golfing son’ Stephen Ames (pictured right) at the St Andrews course (pictured above).
During a comprehensive 12-day ‘whistle stop’ tour, the ‘Flying Dutchman’ visited the golf clubs of St Andrews (several times), Chagugurama, Plantation Lakes, Millennium and Point a Pierre.
