Senior golfers clinic for Tobago youths

European Seniors Tour professional golfers competing in the 2003 Tobago Plantations Seniors Classic will take time off from their preparations to pass on valuable coaching tips to Tobago’s young pretenders at The Stephen Ames Golf Academy, Tobago Plantations Beach and Golf Resort.

There will be 72 golfers from 18 countries worldwide, vying for over ?125,000 (TT$1.2 million in prizemoney at the three-day, 54-hole tournament, third on the 2003 European Seniors Tour calendar, from April. 3-5 .

Scotland’s Bernard Gallacher, the three-time former European Ryder Cup captain, will be among the golf pros giving up his time to conduct the masterclass.

And he will be on hand to present each competitor with a signed certificate at the end of the session.

The Stephen Ames Golf Academy will also use the masterclass to announce the selection of two young golfers to qualify for an honorary membership of Tobago Plantations Golf Club.

Chris Patey, Director of Golf at Tobago Plantations, said: "This is a great opportunity for some of Tobago’s finest young players to learn from the very best in the trade.

"We are extremely grateful to those Seniors Tour Professionals who have kindly volunteered to give up their time to pass on their considerable experience to our young stars."

"I’m sure they will learn a great deal from this session, and who knows we might even uncover Tobago’s answer to the next Tiger Woods."

The Stephen Ames Golf Academy was set up six months ago at Tobago Plantations Beach and Golf Resort in order to identify and nurture Tobago’s best young golfers.

"The Academy is a valuable part of our ongoing commitment to the development of junior golf in Tobago, and I’m sure the Seniors Tour Professionals will be impressed with what they see," added Patey.

The coaching clinic has been set up in conjunction with Tournament Promoters WSM, who have also kindly donated six sets of golf clubs to the academy. Andrew White, CEO of WSM, said: "While in relative terms the sport of golf is still fairly new to the island, there is clearly a wealth of young talent out there and I hope that next week’s coaching masterclass will motivate others to take up the sport."

The tournament has attracted valuable support from local sponsors including TIDCO, THA, Guardian Holdings, Kilpatrick Company and Hilton Hotels.