Canadian golfers share a photo opportunity at the Sandals Golf and Country Club. (Inset) Angella Bennett, Jamaica Tourist Board's Regional Director for Canada.
Much has been said about Jamaica’s sports tourism product, especially as those in the tourism industry continues to tap into the potential of golf to attract visitors to the island.
This, as according to the International Association of Golfing Tour Operators (IAGTO), the global golf tourism market, where people take trips with the main purpose of playing the sport, is valued over US$17 billion.
Additionally, it is said that an estimated 56 million people play golf worldwide, most of whom are in the United States and Canada alone, making North America the leading market in terms of the sport contribution to that economy.
It is with that in mind that Angela Bennett, Jamaica Tourist Board’s Regional Director for Canada is of the view that the recently-concluded Baxter Media-sponsored Sandals Canadian Travel Advisors Golf Tournament, is testament to what can be achieved through the sport.
The 27th edition of the two-day tournament attracted 61 travel advisors, who beyond basking in the fun, frolic and excitement, will ensure that Jamaica’s golfing and, by extension, sports tourism stock in North America continues to rise.
“This is a major achievement for us because golf is a big volume driver for earnings for Jamaica. It also targets a specific sport because we have so many golf courses in Jamaica, in Montego Bay alone, we have almost six golf courses and then there is the picturesque Sandals Golf and Country club among others in this region. From the tournament, we had our top producing tour operators like Air Canada, WestJet, Red Tag, they're all focused on selling sports tourism like golf,” Bennett said.
“So, to have them here for a week, there's a lot of networking going on, a lot of business and new airline partners coming in. This is another focus area for us to drive that sort of niche market to Jamaica and it's really a sport that encourages a long stay because these travellers usually like to golf around,” she added.
Bennett pointed out that the longstanding partnership between Sandals and Baxter Media in hosting the travel advisors tournament, serves as a springboard on which the JTB is aiming to launch strategies to drive more growth in Jamaica’s sports tourism product.
“We are known for sports in Jamaica, of course, Usain Bolt, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and all the other wonderful athletes, so it encourages us to build packages around golfing and promoting the sport, not only golf but all the other sports in Jamaica and this is a significant part of our strategy,” she shared.
“So, we have basketball that we do every year in Montego Bay, and we bring down some of our international stars to engage with the local talent. We also have Reggae Marathon in Negril where we're bringing down runners from Canada and across the world and while here, they experience the different offerings that Jamaica has in the sports field,” Bennett noted.
To that end, she pointed to the importance of capitalizing on the country’s sporting brand, particularly where the likes of Bolt, Fraser-Pryce and other sporting stalwarts are concerned.
“We always go where our athletes are, and sometimes we build a whole strategy around our athletes because just the way we know Bob Marley and everywhere in the world you go, they know Bob Marley, they know Usain Bolt and they know all our other track star because we shine, and we are at a superior level in this field. So, we're always looking to build a strategy around them to create a lot of awareness for Jamaica through them and through the work they're doing internationally,” Bennett ended.
Sherdon Cowan is a five-time award-winning journalist with 10 years' experience covering sports.
Pocket Rocket Foundation awards 20 scholarships to student-athletes in 2024
For Ann-Marie Black, a self-employed mother from rural Jamaica, raising three sprint hurdlers has been a challenging but rewarding journey. On Wednesday, that journey reached a significant milestone as her youngest daughter, Yukika Harris, was awarded a scholarship by the Pocket Rocket Foundation, led by track icon Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. The awards, presented at the AC Marriott Hotel in Kingston, saw 20 student-athletes, including Yukika, receive scholarships, the largest number ever awarded in the foundation's 11-year history.
Black, whose elder daughters, Habiba and Winsome Harris, also Pocket Rocket Scholarship recipients, was elated. For her, the scholarship means more than just financial relief. "Being a single mom, it has helped me a lot. Knowing that they are on the scholarship, I don’t have to stress much about their school fees and stuff, so I am very, very appreciative of these scholarships," she said.
Reflecting on where her daughters’ athletic talents come from, Black proudly shared her own history of sprinting at the Springfield All-Age and Lewisville Vocational schools. "I used to run the 100m and the 200m," she revealed. Today, the legacy continues not only through her daughters but also her grandson, Martino Baker, who dreams of becoming the next Usain Bolt while running for Glen Stewart Primary School.
Yukika, a rising star at St. Elizabeth Technical High School, is determined to outshine her sisters on the track. Black recalled a moment that encapsulated her daughter’s fighting spirit. "I
remember once I said to her; I call her Mary, I said, ‘Mary, you’re tiny,’ and she replied, ‘Mommy, is Shelly-Ann Fraser big?’” Shelly-Ann, Black said, was "elated" to know that her foundation's impact was deeply appreciated by families like theirs.
Three of Black's daughters have been scholarship beneficiaries
Another proud family present at the ceremony was that of Akira Graham, a student-athlete from St. Andrew High School for Girls. Like Yukika, Akira was among the 20 students to receive a scholarship, an achievement she worked hard for. "It means that you are attentive in your work and your athletics, and this scholarship to me has just proven that once you put in the work for both parts of the journey, you can get something out of it. I think I make my parents very proud," she said with a smile.
Her parents, Stanley and Iveta Graham, couldn’t agree more. "It’s a big help; we are so proud of her," said Iveta. "She started this journey with athletics during Covid just because she wanted to get out of the house, and it was a real push for her to stay. It just shows that with determination and support, your child can do great things."
Iveta believes the scholarship is not only a recognition of her daughter’s hard work but also a crucial financial lifeline, especially as she prepares for her CXC exams. "It’s something that I would like all parents to realize, which is that their child is great, and you just need to encourage the greatness," she said. "For us, this is going to be a great help because this is her CXC year, and school is expensive."
This year’s recipients, selected from a record-breaking 162 applicants, included an outstanding group of student-athletes excelling both academically and athletically with 80 per cent of the applicant exceeding the qualifying criteria. Alas, only 20 could be selected, among them was Danielle Noble from Wolmer’s Trust High School for Girls, who expressed gratitude for the opportunity to balance her education and athletics with less financial strain. Matthew Lambert of Knox College and Mattheau Thaxter of Wolmer’s Boys also earned scholarships for their dedication to both schoolwork and sport, along with Iorek Evans from Belair High School and Ajani Murphy of Guy’s Hill High School.
Michael Edwards from Jamaica College, Keelan Smith of Holy Childhood, and Keeshawn Yorke from York Castle High School, each of whom have shown remarkable talent, were also among those recognized. Shameika Dennis of St. Elizabeth Technical High School shared the honour with Yukika, as did Tirunesh Johnson of St. Mary High School and Nicholie Barclay of St. Jago High School, all of whom have consistently demonstrated excellence in both their studies and sporting endeavors.
Ruth Lewis of Belair High School, Abigail Lemard from Wolmer’s Girls, and Nevaeh Dawkins of Campion College were among the girls rewarded for their hard work, while Rickardo Mundle from Wolmer’s Boys, Ithran Softley from Papine High School, Shwayne McDermot of Knox College, and Imani Wint from Wolmer’s Girls rounded out the group of deserving recipients.
Yukika Harris receiving a gift bag courtesy of Nike from icon Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and a basket of goodies from Carlene Holness Promotions and Events Supervisor at GraceKennedy during the awards ceremony on Wednesday.
The scholarships, now in their 11th year, have grown significantly, with the Pocket Rocket Foundation having awarded 93 scholarships to date. For many of these young athletes, the scholarships are not just financial support but a validation of their hard work, discipline, and talent.
For Ann-Marie Black and the Graham family, the scholarships signify more than just a helping hand—they are a testament to the power of sport to uplift families and communities. "Sports takes us out of poverty as far as I am concerned because if you see the kids have the ability to do it, you let them do it," said Black, expressing gratitude for the opportunities her children have been given.
As Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’s Pocket Rocket Foundation continues to grow, so too does its impact on the lives of young Jamaicans, inspiring them to reach for greatness in all aspects of their lives.
'The game is testing me' – More agony for McIlroy as Horschel wins BMW PGA Championship
Rory McIlroy admitted golf is "testing" him more than usual after enduring yet another near miss at the BMW PGA Championship, losing to Billy Horschel in a play-off.
McIlroy, Horschel and Thriston Lawrence were forced into a three-way play-off after they all finished 20-under through four rounds at Wentworth.
Lawrence carded a final round of 65 to close a two-shot gap to McIlroy and Horschel, but the South African bogeyed the first play-off hole to put himself out of contention.
Horschel then wrapped up his second triumph at Wentworth with an eagle on the second, having previously triumphed at the event in 2021.
McIlroy has endured a frustrating year, missing two close-range putts when in pole position to win the US Open in June, then slipping again on the final round to finish second at last week's Irish Open.
Speaking after Sunday's play-off, the Northern Irishman said: "Last week was a tough one but I left there with my head held high with the way I played the last hole, trying to make three.
"Two weeks in a row I've played well. Just not quite well enough. The game is testing me a little more than it has done in the past, but that's fine.
"It could have been a different year but the nice thing is there's next year and the year after and the year after and the year after.
"If you think of my career as a 30-year journey, it's only one year in a 30-year journey, and hopefully the other 29 are a little more productive or a little bit better."
Horschel, meanwhile, admitted the struggles of the four-time major winner, a close friend of his, put a slight dampener on his victory.
"I'm thrilled and excited for the way I played," Horschel said.
"At the same time I'm a little disappointed – Rory is a great friend of mine and he's a generational talent. I know how close he's been this year so I feel for him.
"I needed a bit of luck. There was a lot of luck on my side to get this victory today."
McIlroy pleased with 'solid' round as he chases Manassero at Wentworth
Rory McIlroy was pleased with a 'solid' bogey-free round of 66 as he sits joint-second on 15 under par, three shots off leader Matteo Manassero, ahead of the final day of the BMW PGA Championship.
McIlroy carded a six-under round with four birdies and one eagle on the fourth, only bettered by leader Manassero's 63 and Billy Horschel's 65, which included a run of seven straight birdies and put him in a tie for second alongside the Northern Irishman.
The 35-year-old, who won the event in 2014, was happy enough with his third round, despite finding the water on 18 and scrambling a par on the scoreable final hole.
He said to Sky Sports: "I had a few chances that I let slip there on the back nine, but I got going out there on moving day, shooting six under par, trying to keep up with Matteo.
"It was another solid day, my lowest score of the week and no bogeys. I know I'm going to need another low one tomorrow to try to catch him.
"I love it here. It would be amazing to get my name on the trophy again."
Manassero, who also tasted success at Wentworth in 2013, was delighted with his round, coming towards the end of a season in which he has returned from the wilderness to play some of his very best golf.
"I have to be honest, one of the best rounds I've ever played," the Italian said afterwards.
"Thinking of the difficult years, to be standing here right now in the lead - it feels amazing."
"My perspective has changed. I'm going to go out and enjoy tomorrow."
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