MOJO golf programme ready for next phase

The ongoing MOJO In-The-City Golf Project is set to continue into the summer term.

Two primary schools, St Aloysius and St Anne's, were introduced to the Starting New at Golf (SNAG) programme in October last year, and since then Jamaica Golf Association (JGA) instructors have conducted coaching sessions with 54 children from both schools.

The SNAG programme, which is seen as a creative way of introducing golf to youngsters, was created in Canada.

All the elements of golf are involved, but in a modified format. The equipment allows players to make all the necessary golf shots and can be adapted for use anywhere, with the JGA conducting sessions with students in their environment two afternoons each week.

With the initial segment complete, 16 students have been identified for the second phase of the programme. They will be taken to the Caymanas Golf Course to be formally introduced to the game. Sessions will run twice per week with an assigned coach.

At its completion, 10 students will go on to the third phase, with the ultimate focus on developing potential to a level from which they will be able to challenge for a place on the national junior team.

Initial sponsorship of the programme evolved from the MOJO 6 Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tournament, which was played at Cinnamon Hill last April.

MOJO Marketing, organiser of the MOJO 6 LPGA Tournament, saw the project as a worthwhile venture and a way to introduce students to the game, build a cadre of players who will hopefully go on to represent the country, and remove the stigma of golf being an elitist sport.

Wayne Chai Chong, president of JGA, sees the SNAG Programme as an incubator for golf and advised that he has already seen exceptional talent displayed, and is excited about what the coaches will find when they expand to other schools.