Heidi Clarke, Director Of Programmes for the Sandals Foundation, presents cheque to the JGA Junior team in support of their junior golf programme. Presentation was made at Norman Manley International airport as the young team prepared to depart on Sunday for the Caribbean Junior Amateur Golf Championships which begins July 4th in Trinidad.

OCHO RIOS, Jamaica, June 29, 2015     

The Sandals Foundation has continued its support of the Jamaica Golf Association (JGA) Junior Programme, with its latest contribution towards the Jamaica National Junior Team participating in the Caribbean Junior Amateur Golf Championships.

This represents the Sandals Foundation’s continued commitment to the island’s junior golf programme in a partnership which started in 2012 and has been expanded every year.

“The JGA Junior Programme is extremely grateful to have the support of the Sandals Foundation for another year. This support goes a long way to promote the sport of golf to juniors from all walks of life across Jamaica,” said a beaming Vikram Dihman, Chairman of the JGA National Junior Golf Programme.

Speaking on behalf of the Sandals Foundation,  Heidi Clarke, its Director of Programmes, observed that “We have seen first-hand how the game of golf has provided opportunities to our youngsters.  We have also seen junior golf here in Jamaica grow from strength to strength with the increase in the number of participants, the participants working alongside their schools to develop golf clubs, as well as the skill of our junior team, which was very evident in their performance last year in Barbados, where they placed second overall”.

Mrs. Clarke further added that “we are proud of all the youngsters that remain dedicated to the game of golf, and wish them great success in Trinidad as they travel to represent Jamaica at the Caribbean Junior Amateur Championships.”

Apart from their annual sponsorship of the national junior golfers to participate in international tournaments, the sponsorship also contributes to the JGA Junior programme which provides over 60 youngsters across Jamaica with the opportunities to compete in local tournaments and intensive coaching clinics, as well an opportunity to compete internationally.

This represents an extension of the Sandals Foundation’s Care for Kids Golf programme which provides weekly golf lessons to over 25 children with space provided at the Sandals Golf and Country Club golf course and time volunteered by the Sandals golf professionals, caddies as well as youngsters that have passed through the actual programme.

“The Sandals Foundation believes in positively engaging young people, and sports has always provided an avenue for doing just that. It goes way beyond the game itself through to engaging these youngsters in team building, positive attitudes, discipline, and sportsmanship.  These skills are valuable as they pave the way for successes in all other areas of life,” Mrs. Clarke further noted.

The Sandals Foundation Care For Kids junior programme has produced a number of national junior and senior representatives including Wesley Brown, who is currently participating on the USA Pro Golf Circuit, Dwight Moulton, Austin Swaby, Zandre Roye and Michael Wilmot, all of whom learnt the game at the Sandals Golf and Country Club as a result of the Foundation’s local initiative.

Swaby, who went on to win the Caribbean Junior Age Group Championship, also lauded the Sandals Foundation for its contribution to his development and those of the youngsters in the surrounding community.

“I owe my success to the Foundation,” Swaby said. “When I started I knew nothing about golf, but the professionals taught me the game and the Foundation gave me equipment and the chance to participate in tournaments.”

Swaby went on to point out that the Sandals Foundation not only contributed to his golf career but also assisted while he was at high school, providing additional tutors to help him in his weak subjects as well as counselling in his personal life.

“I owe so much to the Sandals Foundation and as I said not just myself, but all the youngsters who have been a part of the Care For Kids Programme,” Swaby said.

About the Sandals Foundation

The Sandals Foundation was launched in March 2009 to continue the philanthropic work that Sandals Resorts International has been dedicated to for almost three decades.  Three focus areas of Community, Education and the Environment underpin a singular objective to make a difference in the lives people across the Caribbean. This is achieved by investing in community projects, educational programs and environmental preservation on the islands where we operate.  From adopting schools and conducting health screenings to supporting local farmers and cleaning up beaches, we aim to unite the region under common goals - to elevate our people and protect our delicate ecosystem.  To learn more about what we do, feel free to visit our website at www.sandalsfoundation.org.

 CONTACT

For more information, images or quotes please contact

Ian Spencer (564 1656) & Lyndsay Isaacs, Regional Public Managers

Tel: 974 5691  Email: ispencer@grp.sandals.com

lisaacs@grp.sandals.com