Junior Golf Programme Empowering Youth Along North Coast

The Care for Kids Junior Golf Programme, spearheaded by professional golfer, Bill Williams, is a transformative initiative that has been changing the lives of youth in communities along Jamaica’s north coast since 2004.

Through the power of sport, the programme provides underprivileged youth with an opportunity for professional and personal growth, through mentorship and discipline.

Mr. Williams, a seasoned professional golfer with 44 years of experience, began the programme after being driven by a simple need to share his love for the game with young people in his community of Exchange.

“I keep telling myself that I must give back something to the youth. So, I was walking down the road one day in the community of Exchange, where I am from, and I saw three youth. I called them over and asked them if they want to learn to play golf,” he said, in an interview with JIS News.

It was at that moment that the idea of creating a youth golf programme was born. What started with just three youngsters quickly grew to seven.

When the Sandals Foundation became involved, it provided the necessary support to expand the programme, supplying equipment and helping to reach more youngsters from St. Ann, St. Mary and other parishes.

The Care for Kids Junior Golf Programme offers a comprehensive weekly mentorship training session every Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to Noon at the Sandals Golf Upton Estate Country Club, in St. Ann.

The programme serves children between six and 18 years old, many of whom come from underprivileged backgrounds. Through golf lessons and life skills training, the children are instilled with values such as discipline, teamwork, and responsibility.

“We not only teach them golf but also how to carry themselves, and how to be a nice gentleman or a nice young lady. Once you take them off the street and bring them into this golfing fraternity, they see how we dress, how we carry ourselves, the discipline, the eloquence and so that’s the way they grow,” said Mr. Williams, who personally crafted homemade clubs for children.

“Some of them are going to be a little bit tight and not everybody is going to be on the same page. Everyone’s different, and not because he or she may be a little bit stubborn, you can’t say they are no good. So, you have to befriend them and at the same time be like a father for them. They then grow a love for you and the sport,” he added.

The initiative also ensures that the children focus on their academics. They are required to bring in their school reports for each school term. If their schoolwork is not up to par, talks are had with their parents to find ways to help them get back on track. This holistic approach helps to ensure that the youngsters excel both on and off the golf course.

The initiative’s success stories are many. Romaine Evans, who started with the programme at a young age, went on to win in the Boys’ 17 and under category at the Caribbean Amateur Golf Championships (CAGC) in the US Virgin Islands in 2015 and has represented Jamaica in other international tournaments.

For Coach Williams, seeing a child like Romaine succeed is one of the programme’s greatest rewards.

Current participants, Kavar Davis and Zayne Harris from Three Hills Primary School in St. Mary, spoke passionately about the skills they have learned.

“I played in one of the Sandals Foundation tournaments, representing Digicel, and we won. I felt honoured to play on the course with a team in that tournament. This was two years ago,” Kavar told JIS News.

For 15-year-old Tashalee Freebourn, a participant from Exchange, golf has taught her more than just the fundamentals of the game. It has taught her “discipline”, and she is encouraging other girls to give the sport a try if given the opportunity, as “it’s really fun and a great sport to get involved in”.

Looking ahead, the programme’s leaders are committed to ensuring its continued success. They are actively seeking more support – whether in the form of sponsorship, donations or volunteers – so that they can provide even more opportunities for Jamaica’s children.

Director of Golf Operations at Sandals Golf Upton Estate Country Club, Jonathan Newnham, believes that by investing in the young men and women, they are investing in the future of Jamaica.

He said that whether they become professional golfers or not, they will be equipped with the skills and values they need to succeed in life.

“We’ve had over 20 kids join since June. So, we want to continue to ensure quality and ensure that each child that does come gets the attention that they need to develop their skills,” Mr. Newnham told JIS News.