For most children in and around St Ann, golf is more than just a game. Instead it is viewed as a lifeline, a discipline, and an opportunity.

At the heart of this transformative journey stands Bill Williams, a man deeply committed to changing the lives of young Jamaicans through the Sandals Foundation Care for Kids Junior Golf Programme.

Williams, the lead professional golfer at the Sandals Golf and Country Club, has for years been dedicated to empowering boys who are at risk of straying down troubled paths, introducing them to the game of golf, not just as a sport but as a means of character building and personal development.

“I love kids. There’s a duty in me to take care of kids. I always tell myself, if you can grow kids, you grow the country, and you’re growing something good. The guys tell me they love it because I take them off the streets and... them things,” Williams said in a recent interview.

“I’ve been doing this programme since 2002; that’s when I started. I went into my village where I live in Exchange and I see kids... and I bring them over and [guide] them,” he added.

Williams sees golf as more than a series of strokes and strategies. For him, it is a way to teach young men about patience, discipline, and respect—qualities that they can carry well beyond the green.

Bill Williams (centre) shares a photo opportunity with members of Team 13 during the Sandals US Travel Advisors Tournament.

The success stories he tells are numerous, as many of the boys who once faced uncertain futures have gone on to compete at the national level, among them are Zandre Roye, Romaine Evans, and Oshae Haye, just to name a few.

“I turn out some very good kids out of this thing here. And they are all over the world, global now. There [are] so many kids because I used to do this for eight years on my own before Sandals Foundation came on board. And even though they leave the programme at the age of 18, they still come back here, and I still try to offer advice because there is always room for improvements,” Williams shared.

Williams is especially enthusiastic about the future of the programme, as funds raised through the three Sandals Travel Advisors Golf Tournaments—Latin America, Canada, and the United States—the programme is set for significant expansion.

This funding will allow Williams and his team to reach more young men across the island, providing resources to further develop their skills and broaden their opportunities. The latest United States Travel Advisors tournament raised US$800 (about $127,000 Jamaican) for the programme.

“This is a very important tournament every year for us to get a little extra for the foundation because the kids [have] got to play tournaments and we use the money to fund them. We help who cannot really afford to go to school—we do help with that too. So, I think this programme will go much further and impact more youths,” Williams ended.

Rain may have dampened the first day of the Sandals US Travel Advisors Golf Tournament, but it couldn’t wash away the spirit of the event or the competitive resolve of players.

In fact, Garth Laird, Sandals Vice President of Trade and Sales, underscored that the significance of the annual tournament is intended to celebrate just that—the resilience and camaraderie of travel advisors who are essential to the success of Sandals and, by extension, brand Jamaica.

“This tournament itself goes beyond just a game of golf,” Laird shared passionately.

He continued: “It's really about bringing advisors down. It's about reengaging with the product and what it has to offer, and if I can use three words, it's love, legacy, and learning. Love of the product, love of Jamaica, the legacy that Sandals offers to the greater audience of the travel agency community, and it's also about learning.

“It was only one day of golf; we still got the educational component built into it. In the last few months we've also taken a bigger approach because when you add this number together, we've brought about a thousand people to the destination over the last eight weeks because there's so many things that are happening in Jamaica that people aren't aware of. So there's so many new things that's going on, and our responsibility is to educate the advisors so that they can educate their customers,” he added.

Thought rain threatened to wash out the two-day event entirely, the clouds parted on the second day and the advisors got their swing on in the four-man scramble format, which ended with Team Six taking the title with a nine-hole score of 61 at the Sandals Golf and Country Club. They won ahead of Team 13 and Team Five, which ended with scores of 62 and 64, respectively.

That team, captained by Jeremy Lee and included father and son duo David and Adam Anderson, as well as David Schutz, was particularly determined to clinch the top spot this year.

After securing the championship in 2022 but narrowly missing out last year, they entered the tournament with renewed focus, and Lee said the win was the culmination of hard work and the camaraderie they’d built over the years of competing together.

“I think in general, we all could have shot a little bit better, but the weather played into it. Thankfully, there was no thunder or lightning, and we ended up coming out okay. This is the same team we had last year, and two years ago we had one different player, but three of us have been together every year,” Lee, who is based in Alabama, said.

“Just to get an invite to the tournament means a lot to me. This is my third year. Like I said, it's a huge deal. We're really competitive, but really we're here to have fun, learn more about Sandals and Beaches products, and learn to sell more. I sell destinations all over the world, but when people call me and ask what's my favourite place, I say Jamaica because the people are so genuine and nice,” he declared.

Meanwhile, Welton Bowie and Donna Tanner won the men’s and women’s closest to the pin awards, while Schutz and Megan Sams won the respective longest drive awards.

Close to US$800 (about $126,000 Jamaican) was also raised for the Sandals foundation.

With representatives from various regions, Laird explained that the tournament also serves as an informal networking event, bringing together travel advisors and Sandals executives to share industry insights and foster connections in a relaxed environment.

“We're going to do one in St. Lucia next year. So it's the Canadian winners, the winners of the US Tournament, and the winners of the Latin American Tournament, plus we'll sprinkle in some other four folks, like a long-drive person. This is to showcase that it is more than one event. It's more about getting together, doing what we do, which is hospitality and travel,” Laird shared.

“We have the luxury of being probably the most popular brand across the Caribbean right now because of our impact globally as well as within the United States, with our sales team, with our marketing, with our advertising. So when we do something in the Caribbean, it really stands out as a company that continues to reinvest in the people that make us who we are,” he noted.

When Canadian professional golfer and celebrity entertainer Todd Keirstead stands out on course, it is not just for his remarkable skills but for the way he’s using his talents to give back. 

Known for his extraordinary trick shots that leave spectators amazed, Keirstead, who has been playing golf for over 20 years, found a way to turn his passion for the game into a powerful tool for charitable fundraising, and his unique blend of showmanship and philanthropy was on full display in Jamaica recently.

Keirstead’s appearance at the Baxter Canadian Travel Advisors Golf Tournament at the Sandals Golf and Country Club was more than just for an exhibition of incredible talent, as his jaw-dropping trick shots were designed with a larger goal in mind –raising funds for the Sandals Foundation’s junior golf programme, an initiative aimed at fostering the next generation of golfers in Jamaica.

The programme helps provide access to golf for young players who might otherwise not have the opportunity to engage with the sport, offering training, equipment, and mentorship.

“Anything that involves giving back is near and dear to my heart and I love when kids are introduced to this sport. This sport has given me so much; it's allowed me to travel the world and if I can give back, plus put a smile on kids face and show them what can be done through golf,” Keirstead told SportsMax.Tv.

“I also have a national adaptive golf programme where I work with people with varying disabilities and injuries, showing them that they can play the game of golf again because a lot of them gave up the game because they don't think they can play. But if I can show them that, yes, maybe you can't play the way that you used to, but here's an adaptive way to play golf, which is such an incredible sport,” he added.

While his impressive abilities—which involve performing shots blindfolded and even hitting balls from various parts of people’s bodies—saw him once win Trick Shot of the Year, complemented by features on ESPN, Sports Illustrated, TSN, and TMZ, Keirstead’s focus extends far beyond simply entertaining the crowd.

For Keirstead, who survived skin cancer in 2023 when he endured seven surgeries in just four months, every shot he takes is a chance to bring attention to causes that matter, as he is driven by a mission to empower and educate.

“I’ve always believed that golf can be more than just a sport; it can be a vehicle for change. I was doing a demonstration back in 2014, and I realised a lot of the shots that I was doing for pure entertainment value were actually emulating the individuals I was with. So I was hitting golf balls blindfolded, and there were individuals that lost their sight. I was swinging golf balls with one arm, showing the correlation between golf and tennis, and there were arm amputees present,” Keirstead, who is also a part of Paragolf Canada, explained.

“I was hitting golf balls off my knees, and there were people present with double leg amputations. So it immediately turned the light bulb on to me that this wasn't so much entertaining anymore; it was more inspiring, showing these individuals who suffered horrific physical situations, here's an adaptive way to play. I've travelled around the world, working with wounded military people, people in car accidents, individuals that suffered drugs, and just giving back to them through the game of golf,” he shared.

According to Keirstead, the Sandals Foundation’s junior golf programme is a perfect fit for his mission, as it is focused on providing resources and support to budding young golfers who dream of making it big in the sport.

In fact, the cheerful personality believes that by combining his passion for golf with a deep commitment to giving back, he is demonstrating that charity doesn’t have to come in the form of a traditional donation—it can come in the form of time and a willingness to inspire others.

“I would love to work at different golf courses here in Jamaica, helping draw tourism here as well and give the whole island an experience. Being able to give back through what I love doing is a gift, and if I can use my platform to help young golfers get the opportunities they deserve, that’s what makes it all worthwhile,” he declared with a broad smile.

“It’s amazing to see how something as simple as a golf ball can create a ripple effect of change. When these kids are given the opportunity to play, to learn, and to grow in the sport, they’re also learning life skills—discipline, focus, resilience, and that’s what we’re really investing in,” Keirstead ended.

Gary Sadler’s heart beats for two nations—Jamaica, the island of his birth, and Canada, the country where he built his career. As a key figure in the tourism industry, Sadler has long been an ambassador for Jamaica, championing the island’s beauty and culture to the world, and his enthusiasm was once again on full display at the end of the Canadian Travel Advisors Golf tournament.

Sadler, the Executive Vice President of Sales and Industry Relations at Unique Vacations underscored that the two-day tournament, which brought advisors to Jamaica for an immersive experience, was about more than just competition—it was about connection, as he encouraged travel advisors to seize every moment to not just play, but to truly experience Jamaica and sell that experience back home.

“I migrated from Jamaica in 1992, and the eggs of my hopes as a young man was sent to Toronto, and Toronto being the welcoming city that it is, I felt quite at home. I then moved to Western Canada where I spent five of my best years living in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba. So western Canada is dearest to my heart. Why is because they told us in those days that you couldn't really sell Jamaica because Jamaica was two days away in the Caribbean,” Sadler shared.

“So, I am quite excited to see travel advisors from Vancouver coming to the golf tournament. When we started this golf tournament eight years ago, everybody came from Toronto, and very few came from Montreal, because everybody would just want that direct flight. So now that we have people from all across Canada, it is actually very welcoming,” he added.

Gary Sadler addressing Travel Advisors during the award ceremony.

Sadler, who has spent years fostering relationships between Jamaica’s tourism sector and the Canadian market, emphasized the significance of the travel advisors' role. He sees them as vital connectors, helping to bridge the gap between potential tourists and the authentic experiences that Jamaica offers.

“This tournament is about more than just a few rounds of golf. It is about experiencing the island in a way that gives you, the travel advisors, a true sense of what Jamaica has to offer. And when you’ve experienced it firsthand, you’re able to share it with your clients in a way that’s real, that’s authentic,” Sadler noted.

He continued: “I want to acknowledge Air Canada vacations, and I hope you are reminded that there is now no connection fees for flights from Western Canada to Jamaica only at a Sandals and Beaches resort. Forgive my passion, and it's certainly not meant as an insult, but what the free connector really means is that those of you from Western Canada, have absolutely no excuse in the world why you cannot sell from Western Canada to Jamaica and to the Caribbean.

“There is now no reason in the world why you can't do so. So I appeal to you to ensure that your business is not limited to the fact that Western Canada is far away, because WestJet also has direct flights out of Calgary to Nassau, and Calgary to Jamaica as well. So Canada's largest carriers fly to the Caribbean. The airlines have fixed the issue, show them it's worth it.”

The tournament, which allowed participants to unwind while also deepening their understanding of the island’s unique offerings, was won by Team 12, comprising Arnold Bridgemohan, Janet Long, Cargill Gordon and Colin Harris. That quartet tallied 59 and 67 strokes across both days for a winning total of 126.

Canadian professional golfer and celebrity entertainer Todd Keirstead demonstrates his trick shots.

They were two shots ahead of dethroned champions Team 10 –Wendy Hsu, Leo Tam, Tom Liu, and Chris Gregoris –who shot 128. Team 4 of Doug Rollheiser, Jason Jenkins, Dave Harris and Jaques Gilbert were third with 130 strokes.

Meanwhile, Cargill Gordon and Sandra Edwards won the men and women longest drive awards, while Jay Ainabe and Wendy Hsu took the closest to the pin awards.

Over US$600 and CAD$120 (about $109,000 Jamaica dollars) was also raised for the Sandals Foundation.

For Sadler, his final words were a call to action for the travel advisors.

“Let’s keep sharing Jamaica with the world, one client at a time. I thank you for the commitment, not just to this golf tournament, because it doesn't end here. It begins here, but ends with a commitment that you continue to drive and support this travel industry, not just limited to Canada, but globally, where travel advisors can feel that they're part of a bigger picture partnership. Thank you wholeheartedly for your belief in the Sandals organisation because we simply want your business,” he ended.

A major tournament to pit the winners of the LatAm, Canadian, and US Travel Advisors tournaments against each other is scheduled for next year in St Lucia.

The Jamaica Golf Association staged its Heroes Golf Classic at the Sandals Golf and Country Club in St. Ann last weekend with the inclusion of a special section dubbed WAGR for World Amateur Golf Ranging where selected golfers play 54 holes over two days instead of the normal three days.  Those golfers had to play a grueling 27 holes each day. 

Zandre Roye topped the male section which included twelve other golfers, after posting scores of par 71, one over par 72 and par 71 for a combined score of one over par 214. 

Oshae Haye, who shot the lowest single round score of two under par 69 in the first round, followed up with scores of one over par 72 and six over par 77 for a total score of five over par 218 to grab second place. 

Pro golfer Orville Christie was one stroke back on 219 (74, 72, 73) in third place. 

On the female side, junior golfer Mattea Issa also took up the WAGR challenge and ended with a combined score of 20 over par 233 after posting 83, 85 and 75 over the three rounds. 

The players who competed in the WAGR section of the Classic gained points towards their international ranking in the sport. 

The other golfers in the Classic played 18 holes each during the two-day event with varying results. 

William Lee was first in the Men and Men Senior 0-6 category after posting nine over par 151 (77, 74). Kemari Morris was nine strokes back in second place on 18 over par 160 (84, 76). 

The top three golfers in the men Super Senior 0-12 category were Keith Stein one over par 143 with conservative scores of par 71 and one over par 72. Gregory Wright was 11 strokes back in second place on 154 (78, 76), while Mike Gliechman was another four strokes back on 158 (83, 75) in third place. 

Desi Collins took the Men Super Senior 13-24 section after posting 44 over par 186 (94, 92). 

The Masters section went to Carlyle Hudson 152, followed by Philip Wilson 171 and Winston Johnson 179. 

Several ladies competed in the Classic as well, playing two rounds. Diane Hudson 193 won that section, while Valerie Grant and Susan White were tied for second place after scoring 194 each over the 36 holes. 

The junior golfers who have not seen any competition since their Caribbean Championship in August were invited to join the seniors and some of them did so.

Boys 15 and Under player Shasa Redlefsen scored 173 (90, 83) while Boys 11 -13 player Jacob Schnoor scored 187 (98, 89). The other junior player to finish the Classic was Girls 15 and Under player Alessandra Coe with a combined score of 171 (81, 90). 

The Heroes Golf Classic was played a week early to allow Jamaica to defend the Caribbean Golf Association’s 4-Ball Championship which it has won for the past three consecutive years. That championship is scheduled for this weekend in Trinidad & Tobago this weekend.

Maureen Barnes-Smith, director of sales and marketing for Unique Vacations Canada, has praised the annual Baxter Canadian Golf Tournament as an essential platform for strengthening the relationship between Canadian travel advisors and brand Jamaica.

Barnes-Smith spoke glowingly about the commitment of travel advisors in promoting the island as a premier tourist destination, while also highlighting the broader impact of the event in terms of giving back to the community through the Sandals Foundation.

“I'm very excited this year in particular, because, you know, Jamaica is focused on so many different branches of tourism. Sports tourism is a big one for Jamaica, and this golf tournament certainly ties into that. The Baxter Canadian Travel Advisors Golf Tournament is more than just a sporting event—it’s an opportunity for us to continue fostering strong partnerships with travel advisors who have been instrumental in positioning Jamaica as a must-visit destination," Barnes-Smith told SportsMax.Tv.

“Travel advisors are the backbone of the travel industry, and their dedication in showcasing Jamaica's beauty, culture, and hospitality is invaluable. This tournament allows us to celebrate their hard work while engaging with them on a personal level," she added.

The golf tournament, which is now a staple event on the calendar for Canadian travel advisors, provides a unique mix of sports and tourism promotion, enabling participants to experience Jamaica's unique appeal firsthand.

A total of 17 teams of four golfers each engaged in the two-day tournament at the Sandals Golf and Country Club in Upton Estate.

Beyond networking benefits, Barnes-Smith highlighted that the tournament plays an important role in supporting the work of the Sandals Foundation, which, in honour of its 15th year of operation, invited professional golfer and celebrity entertainer Todd Keirstead to assist in raising much-needed funds.

"As always, we're trying to raise as much funds for the Sandals Foundation, so we brought Todd in from Canada to do trick shots at the golf course. So there are people teeing off people's heads, peeling off of coconuts, and it's all in aid of trying to build awareness because he's also a part of Para Canada," Barnes-Smith shared.

"So we're trying to really focus on the foundation and the good that the foundation does in the community, for the economy, and also for the environment. So we're focused on all of those things. So it's really about the golfing, but it's also about the destination and also about everything that we try to do for the Caribbean as a brand," she noted.

Barnes-Smith also revealed that a recent large-scale event, hosted by Sandals Resorts in Montego Bay, attracted over 600 travel agents, who were flown in to immerse themselves in the Jamaican experience.

That event, she said, was a massive success and part of the brand’s broader strategy to drive tourism as a whole, while showcasing the island’s potential as a destination for more than just sun and sand.

"We had a thousand people in Montego Bay yesterday (Wednesday), and it was all about brand Jamaica. We wanted to ensure that these agents had the chance to experience the best of what Jamaica has to offer—the culture, the people, the food, the music, and what we, as a company, as a brand, bring into Jamaica as a local Jamaican company. 

"Because a lot of people see Sandals. They don't realise that Sandals is a Jamaican company, but also what we do for the rest of the Caribbean. But it's all about the destination, and golfing is just a small part,” Barnes-Smith explained.

Ultimately, Barnes-Smith underscored that everything they do is to assist travel advisors in becoming better equipped to sell Jamaica to their clients with confidence. 

“As Sasco would say, sell Jamaica first, second, and third, and also fourth. So for me, it really is about getting everybody focused. We're a Caribbean company, but as a Jamaican brand, we also have a lot more exposure in Jamaica than we have anywhere else.

“So for us, it's all about making sure that we're giving back as much to this destination as we can and we're doing that through sports tourism, through the foundation, and through the Sandals Corporate University,” Smith-Barnes ended.

In a glowing endorsement of the vital role played by Latin American travel advisors, Gary Sadler, Executive Vice President of Sales and Industry Relations at Unique Vacations, lauded their unwavering efforts in driving tourism to Jamaica and other Caribbean destinations, particularly where Sandals Resorts are located.

Sadler expressed his heartfelt appreciation for their continued dedication to promoting the Sandals brand and the broader Caribbean region, as he acknowledged the crucial role they play in not only attracting visitors but also in strengthening the tourism sectors of the countries they serve, with a special emphasis on Jamaica, the home of Sandals Resorts.

“Jamaica and Sandals continue to be a very strong product for Latin America. You have seen just a part of Jamaica, the Ocho Rios region, but as we continue to invest in Latin America, you'll find that the Caribbean, such as Barbados, with flights four times a week from Panama with Copa Airlines, and Bahamas Nassau, again with Copa Airlines flying from Panama, will continue to grow. We are throughout the Caribbean, hence the reason that we can provide the diversity that you need,” Sadler said after another successful staging of the Sandals Latin America Travel Advisors Golf Tournament on Monday.

“Your commitment to showcasing the beauty, culture, and luxury that Jamaica and the Caribbean have to offer is nothing short of extraordinary. Each year, your efforts bring more and more visitors to our shores, allowing them to experience the unparalleled service and hospitality that Sandals is known for,” he added.

Gary Sadler shares a light moment with Arlenes Garcia.

The 10th edition of the Sandals Latin America Travel Advisors tournament brought together travel advisors from 11 Latin American countries—Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile, Peru, Panama, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Mexico—for a few days of networking, education, and friendly competition at Sandals Golf and Country Club in Upton Estate.

Two teams from Argentina were crowned joint champions, as both teams finished tied on 68 after the two days.

One team, comprising Gabriel Miguens, Pablo Moioni, Gaston Serra, and Ulises Chiappe scored 34 across both days, while the other team of Maria Luisa Rodriquez, Fernando Rafael Quintes, Pablo Wolinsky, and Cesar Suarez scored 36 on day one and 32 on day two.

Peru’s team of Cesar Ruiz, Denitza Almeyda, Diego Sorni, and Micaela Oslcese, was third with 72, following scores of 39 and 33 across both days.

Beyond the competition, the advisors, many of whom were visiting the island for the very first time, were given a firsthand experience of the luxurious accommodations, world-class amenities, and vibrant culture that they market to their clients.

The tournament not only served as a platform for professional development but also as a testament to the strong partnerships that Sandals has built with the Latin American travel industry over the years.

Gaston Serra, a member of the winning Argentina team, makes a put.

Sadler highlighted the importance of these partnerships, noting that the continued success of Sandals Resorts in Latin America is a direct result of the hard work and dedication of the travel advisors.

He also encouraged the advisors to keep pushing for sales in their regions, emphasizing that their efforts have a direct impact on the growth of tourism in the Caribbean.

“What that means is that you have the ability to sell the Caribbean, especially the English-speaking Caribbean. Every time a visitor from Latin America visits the Turks and Caicos Islands, it's the quality vacation that you sell that makes a huge difference. My own experience visiting Brazil for carnival, visiting Christ the Redeemer in Rio, tells me that everyone must travel to experience the world,” Sadler declared.

"Your influence in the Latin American market is undeniable, and so I urge you to continue your relentless pursuit of excellence. Together, we can further strengthen the Sandals brand and ensure that Jamaica and the Caribbean remain top-of-mind destinations for travelers from Latin America,” he stated.

“We're grateful that you can make it Sandals and you can make it Jamaica, and I sincerely hope that everyone had a wonderful, wonderful experience. Thank you for your commitment to Jamaica, and thank you for your commitment to Sandals,” he ended.

If ever Jamaicans needed a nudge to embrace the beauty of the island on which they reside, then Arlenes Garcia’s message—keep selling Jamaica as a brand—would hit home.

Garcia, the dynamic Director of Sales and Marketing for Latin America at Unique Vacations, who is currently in Jamaica along with travel advisors from 11 Latin American countries, is passionate about promoting Jamaica as a premier destination for tourists.

Her visit is part of the 10th staging of the Sandals Latin America Travel Advisors Golf Tournament, an event designed to immerse these individuals in the rich experiences that Sandals Resorts and Jamaica as a whole have to offer.

With the tournament as a backdrop, Garcia spoke enthusiastically about the importance of showcasing Jamaica's unique blend of natural beauty, cultural vibrancy, and world-class hospitality.

“Jamaica is so beautiful. There are so many things that the tourists can experience when they come to Jamaica. It's safe to travel to Jamaica, and we have to speak about all this. Jamaica is more than just a destination; it’s a brand that resonates globally, so when we promote Jamaica as a country, as the Caribbean, we have to promote the beauty of the country,” Garcia said.

“From the stunning beaches and lush landscapes to the warm and welcoming people, Jamaica offers an experience that is unmatched. We have to speak about the experience that tourists in Jamaica could have. I mean, there is so much to speak about when we think about it—Dunn’s River Falls, Mystic Mountain, and the golf course—there are so many beautiful places that you could find in Jamaica. So I would suggest that we continue promoting Jamaica,” she added.

Latin American Travel Advisors share a photo opportunity with caddies.

Garcia revealed that there are times when some Latin American travel advisors overlook Jamaica as a destination to experience and vacation, until they are told about the warmth and vibrancy of the island.

As such, she pointed out that it is essential that those who have experienced the beauty of the island  serve as ambassadors and continue to highlight these aspects to the world.

“Tourism is important for Jamaica and for us to be able to strengthen our relationship with our partners is also important. Jamaica is more than just a destination; it’s a brand that resonates globally, so as soon as those reluctant parties change their minds and decide to come here, they want to come back every year," she shared.

That said, Garcia explained that the tournament is more than just a sporting event but more of a strategic initiative aimed at deepening the understanding of what Jamaica offers as a tourism destination.

By bringing travel advisors directly to the island, Sandals Resorts ensures that these key influencers experience firsthand the quality and variety of amenities available.

This, in turn, allows them to better sell Jamaica to their clients across Latin America, as countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile, Peru, Panama, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Mexico are represented at the tournament. 

Members of Mexico's team in action.

With that in mind, Garcia emphasized the significance of golf as an integral part of Jamaica’s sports tourism industry. 

"Golf tourism is growing rapidly, and Jamaica is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend. The beautiful golf course here at Sandals Golf and Country Club, set against breathtaking backdrops, adds an extra dimension to the traditional sun-and-sand holiday. It’s these unique offerings that make Jamaica stand out, and it’s our job to ensure that the world knows about them," Garcia reasoned.

"For travel advisors, the ideal thing is to actually see the product, enjoy and live the experience, because this is exactly what they will be selling when they go back home. So if they see the product and they enjoy it, then they can sell and the golf tournament is ideal for those travel advisors who specialize in golf. They have these clients that actually are looking for a vacation where they can incorporate their sport," she noted.

During their time in Jamaica, the travel advisors have been treated to a showcase of the island’s best. From luxurious stays at Sandals Dunn’s River  to exploring the island’s attractions and, of course, enjoying rounds of golf on at the scenic Sandals Golf and Country Club at Upton, an experience carefully curated to highlight Jamaica’s strengths.

But the travel advisors also do a bit of giving back themselves, as Garcia also encourages a 'pack for a purpose' initiative that involves giving back to Jamaican communities through the Sandals Foundation.

"We encourage the agents to actually park for a purpose. They bring articles that they can share with the community. As you know, we support the education, the environment and the communities with the Sandals Foundation, so to be able to bring school items, books, and other articles that will support the communities and the schools here in Jamaica is part of the program that we have prepared for the travel advisors. We also have island roots as part of the sponsorship and they will actually support us by incorporating an activity where the agents will be able to experience Jamaica," Garcia ended.

With another staging of the Sandals Golf and Jerk Festival now done and dusted, Heidi Clarke, Executive Director of the Sandals Foundation and Jonathan Newnham are content to bask in the success of their hard work, having once again set the bar high.

The event, hosted at the Sandals Golf and Country Club in Upton, not only combined the love of golf with Jamaica’s renowned culinary tradition, but also reinforced the power of sports and culture to bring people together for a common cause, as it also raised funds for the St Ann's hospital urology department, as well as Sandals Foundation’s Care for Kids programme. 

Cavani James, 12, and his teammate Tajay Lobban, 21, were crowned overall champions of the golf tournament, which was split into three sections to add value for the over 80 participants that journeyed from near and far to contribute to the event’s success.

Elon Parkinson, Digicel’s Head of Communications and Corporate Affairs, and Karen Zacca, Operations Director at the Sandals Foundation, share a photo opportunity with (from left) Jerome Thomas, Cavani James and Tyree Smith.

For Clarke, the event was another testament of the foundation’s years of hard work and dedication to education, healthcare, and community development.

“We haven’t calculated all that came in as yet, but I think that we did great. This is the fourth year that we've been doing this tournament, all with a focus on how we're doing capacity building for hospitals in this region,” Clarke said.

“So last year, we focused on Port Maria hospital and their security system, and a year before that, it was the St Ann's Bay physio department, this year, the urology department. So we've really been able to do a lot, and I am very proud of the team and all the golfers that came out. We are very grateful to them all for the support,” she added.

Kendra Miller, a HEART/NSTA Trust Hospitality student participating in the Jerk competition.

Beyond golf, the Care for Kids programme, which engages kids between the ages of seven and 18 years old, through weekly mentorship training programme, also imparts life skills that Clarke says prepares them to navigate whatever challenges lay ahead.

For the Jerk competition, members from Sandals Dunn’s River Resort, Sandals Royal Plantation, Beaches Ocho Rios Resort and the Country Club match skills with unique chicken, shrimp and fish recipes. In an effort to continue its youth engagement commitment, all jerk teams also comprised students of the St Ann’s Chapter of the HEART/ NSTA Trust’s hospitality school.

“I think it was a fantastic success. Another big aspect of it is the jerk competition. So this year, for the jerk competition, we had the chefs out on the course, so golfers could sample jerk when they were out there. We had some HEART/ NSTA students join them for the competition, so they were mentored from the day before with all the preparations and then during the day of the event,” Clarke shared.

One of the many participants prepares to tee off.

“They all really had a fantastic time. So for us, it's always about how we work with our young people, whether they're playing golf or whether they want to learn about the hospitality industry, and how we're working to build our healthcare, and making our communities stronger. So I think, overall, it was a resounding success,” she noted.

Newnham, director of operations at the golf club, also stressed that the festival is more than just golf, as he too pointed to the lasting positive impact it has on local communities.

“It was just a very first class event and the feedback from the golfers was fantastic. It was fitting that our overall champion was actually a team of Cavani James, who won our junior qualifier a month and a half ago, and Tajay Lobban, a former, a former member of our junior golf programme. So that is very rewarding for us as a programme to showcase the talents that we nurtured,” Newnham reasoned.

“It's a testament to the work that not only we do, but also as a Jamaican golf and junior community as a whole. So very proud that all the hard work that went into it was well awarded and it was essentially a celebration of sport and all it does for us and the surrounding communities, as the proceeds are for a cause,” he ended.

With the lush greens of the picturesque Sandals Golf and Country Club in Upton at their disposal, a number of young talents took centre stage as they paraded their skills in the inaugural drive, chip and putt tournament.

Hosted by the Sandals Foundation, through their Care for Kids Junior Golf Programme, the tournament, not only treated the aspiring stars to a day of excitement, but also served as a qualifier for the prestigious Sandals Golf and Jerk Festival, scheduled for June.

Among the 13 competitors, who graced the course on Saturday was 12-year-old Cavani James, whose passion for the sport and unwavering determination shone brightly as he executed well in all three strokes to emerge victorious. James tallied a score of 75 to finish ahead of Jerone Thomas (66) and Tyreek Smith (58).

By virtue of their performances, all three junior golfers secured spots in the Sandals Golf and Jerk Festival – an exciting sports and food event –where they will be paired with their senior counterparts.

For James, golf is more than just a game, it is a lifelong dream in the making. From the moment he first picked up a club two years ago while attending Exchange Primary, James knew that he had found his calling.

His appetite for the sport intensified even more when he started attending weekend sessions under the guidance of Sandals golf pro Bill Williams, who has nurtured homegrown talents such Romaine Williams and others.

With each swing and each putt, James, fuelled by a burning desire to excel on the golf course, honed his skills, and the Ocho Rios High student recently showcased that skill with a level of maturity beyond his years.

Throughout the tournament, James faced stiff competition from older players and fellow aspiring young golfers alike. But with nerves of steel and a steady hand, he navigated the challenges with precision and poise.

"I feel very good to have won the tournament, especially because I was late in getting to the course and I thought that I wasn't going to make it, but God had other plans for me. So, I am really happy, the tournament itself was also a challenge, anybody who knows golf knows it can be frustrating when the strokes don’t come off how you want them to, but it was good,” James said.

“My expectation is very high for the Sandals Golf and Jerk Festival, I know it is going to be good for me because when I start playing in more tournaments, the better I will get because my ambitions are to go as far as possible in the sport. So, I am going to keep working on what I have to with Mr. Bill [Williams] because I would like to go far in this sport, not only for me, but also to make my mother proud,” he added.

Patrice Gilpin, Sandals Foundation’s public relations manager pointed out that the tournament was another testament of the foundation’s years of hard work and dedication. But more than that, she said it also gave a glimpse into a bright future filled with endless possibilities as the sky is the limit for the young golfing prodigies.

Beyond golf, Gilpin explained that the Care for Kids Programme, which engages kids between the ages of seven and 18 years old, through weekly mentorship training programme, also imparts life skills that prepares them to navigate whatever challenges lay ahead.

“Even if they're not sure about golf, they learn something different, something new. Sports is an amazing avenue that teaches young people personal responsibility, discipline, teamwork, how to be resilient, and how to continue to work at themselves. So, they're learning very targeted soft skills through this programme that also provides very keen mentors for them throughout these very delicate stages of their development,” Gilpin reasoned.

She continued: “So our care for kids go program has been doing an amazing job over the years. We've had kids graduate from the programme and represent Jamaica on the international level. We have two of the current students right now chosen for the Caribbean Amateur golf tournament that's coming up in July.

“So, it's been a very successful programme for us, and it was beautiful just to see the young boys and girls put their heart and souls into showcasing their skills and doing their best in order to qualify to be part of the huge, the bigger tournament that's coming up in June.”

Meanwhile, Jonathan Newnham, director of golf at the Sandals Golf and Country Club, echoed similar sentiments.

“It was great to see the progress of the juniors. They were a little nervous, as expected, but they were able to gather themselves and really perform. The top three started off very rough, but produced a great comeback at the end, so I made sure to stress that as a great lesson that goes beyond the sport of golf, but for life as well. Even if you're down early, don't give. I'm really looking forward to them. getting that opportunity to test themselves against the experienced players in June, and it will only help them going forward,” Newnham noted.

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 27^th 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.

With her parents starting a rich and fruitful partnership with Sandals Resorts, Wendy McClung, Executive vice-president of Baxter Media said the decision was easy for her to continue the family legacy to promote Jamaica as a golfing destination through the Canadian Travel Advisors Golf Tournament.

The 27th edition of this tournament, which is the longest running of the three, preceding the United States and Latin American events, attracted 16 teams made up of some 61 travel advisors, who beyond basking in the fun, frolic and excitement, will ensure that Jamaica’s sports tourism stocks in North America continues to rise.

Team three comprising Christopher Gregoris, Leo Tam, Tom Liu, and Wendy Hsu, finished tops at the end of the two-day competition at the Sandals Golf and Country Club in St Ann. They tallied scores of 65 and 62 across the two days for an 18-hole total of 127.

The team of Gord Ramkissoon, Lalita Ramkissoon, Leonard Sanicharan and Lalita Sanicharan, were six strokes behind in second on 133, after daily scores of 66 and 67, while Team Five comprising David Harris, Doug Rollheiser, Jacques Gilbert and Jason Jenkins took third with 134, after daily scores of 65 and 69.

McClung, who believes the prospects for the tournament is far-reaching where impacting visitor arrivals to Jamaica is concerned, is hoping to build on what her parents Edith and William Baxter accomplished.

Baxter’s Media is the publisher of two of Canada's leading travel trade magazine, the Canadian Travel Press and Travel Courier.

“This was actually started by my parents and my parents always had a good relationship with Jamaica, in fact, my mother was conferred with the Order of Distinction. So, Sandals has been a partner of ours for a very long time and every year we bring travel agents and people who serve Jamaica just to have a nice kind of thank you gathering. It is four days of golf, fun and entertainment and so it’s a great way to celebrate the partnership,” she said.

“Every year it gets better and better. In fact, we had to turn people away because it’s a popular thing and it’s the highlight of the year for many people. As you know, Jamaica has the perfect weather, Sandals is a perfect resort with a perfect golf club, my only complaint is that we are not here long enough,” McClung added.

Meanwhile, the side competitions which raised US$1,528 (about $235,869 Jamaican dollars) for the Sandals Foundation, were won by Curtis Dewar and Norah Hogan, in the closest to the pin, while Colin Harris and Tobe Leney, were the male and female longest drive winners.

As Sandals Resorts moves to deepen and strengthen ties with its international partners, it was the United Sates Travel Advisors turn to have their fun in the sun at the 19th annual golf tournament at the Sandals Golf and Country Club in St Ann.

After two days of enticing competition, which allows Travel Advisors to experience and, later sell Jamaica as the destination of choice for sports and tourism, it was Team 10 that finished tops in the four-man scramble format, played over 18 holes.

Pete Drab, Damon Spady, Megan Sams and Scott Austin made up the winning team that scored 58 across both days to end with a total of 116.

Team 10 won ahead of Teams six and eight, as they ended with a similar score of 123, after both had similar scores of 62 on Thursday’s first day and 61 on Friday’s final day.

Adam Anderson, David Anderson, David Schutz and Jeremy Lee made up Team six, while Team eight comprised of Craig and Angela Mansperger, Ro Gallo and Mike Tipple.

Aside from the main event, the serious side of the golf tournament, saw Sandals Foundation raising US$1,210 (approximately $187,000 Jamaican dollars) for its outreach programmes to assist those in need.

Mike Zuch and Linda Hyde bettered rivals in the men’s and women’s Closet to the Pin event, while Harold Kelly and Julie Gildner, finished tops in their respective categories of the Longest Drive competition.

As the Honorary Consul of Jamaica in Uruguay, Jorge Andres Elissalde felt it only fitting that he made the trip down to the Caribbean Island to not only enjoy the sun, fun and excitement, but also to play his part in assisting Sandals Foundation to give back to its community.

Elissalde was among the over 70 individuals that made the trek from various countries to strut their stuff in the Sandals Latin American Travel Agents Golf Tournament, which is used a driver for participants to experience and, later sell Jamaica as the destination of choice for sports and tourism.

As fate would have it, Elissalde's team which included Jorge Barbut, Jose Cabrera and Leonardo Curutchague, finished tops at the four-man scramble format, two-day event with a final score of 60 over nine holes. They scored 33 on the first and 27 on the final day of the competition.

They won ahead of the Brazilian team of Breno Luz, Ricardo Dantas, Denilson Milan, and Raphael Abreu, which scored 28 on the first day and 37 on the final day to finish five-strokes behind on 65 at the Sandals Golf and Country Club.

"I am very proud to be the Honorary Consul of Jamaica and I am happy that we had the chance to come here and not only participate in the Sandals tournament, but also to see what the foundation is doing because we know they do a lot of good for the people here, especially in the Ocho Rios region. So, it's always a pleasure to play our part and we also won which is double the excitement," Elissalde told SportsMax.tv. 

Besides the friendly competition between others from Mexico, Panama, Peru, Colombia, Argentina, among others, Elissalde reiterated the serious side of the golf tournament, as the side shows raised US $316 for the Sandals Foundation which might seem a small figure but will go a far way in helping those in need.

Mauricio Fuerte (Closet to the Pin Men), Antonio Perez Verdia Rubio (Longest Drive Men), and Taryn Stanton (Longest Drive Women), won those side events.

Beyond that, the travel agents also brought with them books and other school supplies to be distributed in the community.

"Jamaica is a destination that not many Uruguayans know, it is a beautiful country with beautiful people and so doing this (tournament) is one way of basically opening the doors so those Uruguayans can experience Jamaica through us and then they will be more eager to come and visit," Elissalde reasoned.

"So what Sandals is doing is very good, it's a mix of sports and tourism and, more importantly, the fact that they use these golf tournaments to raise funds for the foundation is incredible and giving back is always something that many people gravitate towards. So again, we are very happy to play our part," he added.

During his visit, Elissalde also paid a courtesy call on Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Meanwhile, Jake Coldiron, national manager of golf sales, expressed delight with the outcome of the tournament which is one of three travel-advisers’ event staged annually by the resort to promote the island as a golfing destination, while giving the resort chain’s sales reps personal experiences of its properties and Jamaica’s varied attractions.

The positive spinoff from the event has propelled Sandals to stage a World Travel Advisors Golf Tournament set for Emerald Bay, Bahamas, next year. Elissalde and his team are expected to be a part of that, along with those from the United States and Canada tournaments to come in September and October respectively. 

"My job is to help the travel advisors grow their business through golf and this year we actually had quite a few travel advisors that had never been to Jamaica, so the ultimate goal for them is to go back to their home country and sell Jamaica, sell Sandals and Beaches Resorts, and bring their clients down here," Coldiron said.

“The Sandals Foundation in general is also a very important part of Sandals Resorts and what is nice about it is that we as a company take it very seriously as far as ensuring that we give back not just in Jamaica but the entire Caribbean. We are a Caribbean-based company, and the ultimate goal is to take care of the Caribbean,” he noted.

Despite being out of competition for a while, Sean Morris showed no signs of rust, as he outclassed rivals in the Jamaica Golf Association (JGA) two-day Independence Golf Classic at the Sandals Golf & Country Club in St. Ann recently.

Morris, who was the only golfer to post an under-par score during the tournament, won by five shots. He shot six over par 77 on the first day but roared back on the second day with a two under par 69 for a total score of four over par 146 in the Men Senior 0-6 section.

"A lot has been happening in my game for the last couple months where I started getting back into the heat of competition. I actually had some new shaft installed in my driver and in my three wood and my irons. This is about the fourth outing since the irons have been fitted, so the win is a significant one in the quest for getting the golf game sharper and more consistent. The game is rounding into shape,” Morris said.

“I went there with a lot of resolve and determination to play the best that I could. My short game was really in good form, and it was the key to the victory. The greens are small at Sandals and require a lot of short game performance, so I am just happy for the win," he added.

The first day leader, Tenny Davis, who shot par 71 then, had a rough second day after scoring 10 over par to end on a combined score of 10 over par 152, which saw him pacing third. Delroy Johnson, who shot 74 and 77, was one stroke ahead on 151 in second place.

On the Ladies side, Diane Hudson posted scores of 90 and 93 for a total score of 41 over par 183 to take the category by two shots, ahead of Judith Slater 185 (93 and 92) and Jennifer Davey 200 (104 and 99). They competed in the 13+ handicap category.

The top three men in the Men Senior 7-12, were Philip Gooden 165 (84 and 81), followed by Raymond Campbell 178 (89 and 89) and Nigel Davey 191 (96 and 95).

In the Men Senior 13-24 handicap category, Mark Samuels 179 (92 and 87) secured a four-stroke win over American Owen McPherson 183 (92 and 87) and Delroy Anderson 199 (99 and 100).

The Men Super Senior 0-12 category was very competitive with two players getting identical scores across both days. Mike Gleichman and Greg Chong both scored 80 and 79 to end on a total score of 159 each. Robert Chin was three strokes behind on 162 (82 and 80) in third place.

Two men teed-off in the Men Super Senior 13-24 category, with Philip de Waal 182 (92 and 90) winning the category by 12 shots ahead of Guyan Arscott 194 (97 and 97).

The master's category saw seven competitors. Dorrel Allen 162 (79 and 83) topped the category by one stroke ahead of Carlyle Hudson 163 (82 and 81), with Philip Wilson 166 (84 and 82) in third.

One junior player in the Boys 14-15 category joined the golfers on the course. He posted scores of 92 and 86 for a total score of 36 over par 178.