Time to recognise Stephen Ames

THE EDITOR: Congrats to Stephen Ames. His determination to be one of the world’s best golfers despite the odds can serve as an inspiration to all of his countrymen and women. Week in week out he keeps the Trinidad and Tobago flag flying. Why he has not to date received tangible recognition in the country of his birth says more about us than it does about him. Whatever the perception one may have about the sport of golf or Stephen Ames, he is a son of the soil, a great sportsman who week in week out gives the world a positive perception of our beautifully diverse multicultural country.”

Trinidad and Tobago’s Stephen Ames is heard regularly on BBC, CNN and ESPN. Ames’ determination and desire to succeed has seen him overcome well documented USA visas, issues in the 1990s that required him to reapply for a visa every week and then every two years. He first represented Trinidad and Tobago in 1980 making his Hoerman Cup debut at age 16, smashing the course record at Sandy Lane, Barbados, carding a 66. He turned professional in 1987. Since then he has won the Pensacola Open in 1991 on the Ben Hogan Tour, The Lyon Open in France in 1993 and the prestigious Benson and Hedges in England in 1996.

On the PGA Tour his consistent improvement has seen him to a World rank of 40th. The international golf world understands the significance of the achievements of the golfer from a “third world country.” Here is an interesting fact, in 1996 Michael Johnson won two Olympic gold medals (200m and 400m) at the Atlanta Olympics while Tiger Woods won three amateur tournaments in the USA. Woods was named Sport Illustrated Sportsman of the Year. One would imagine that after twenty-four years of national representation at international level, his unstinting efforts should mean something to the country of his birth.

BRIAN LEWIS
Port-of-Spain