DESPITE Tiger Woods’ dominance of the golf game over the past few years, many Jamaicans still harbour the mistaken notion that this is a game only for rich, old, white men.

Well, Nicole Dixon, a poor, young, black girl is also a golfer. In fact, golf has given her the option for a future that was beyond her wildest imagination. Last week Monday when I sat down for dinner at Breezes Runaway Bay hotel, a bright eyed young lady filled my water glass and inquired if I would be having wine.

This I affirmed – white and dry. She returned and poured the wine then cautiously asked if my son was a junior golfer. This I affirmed and she went on to indicate that she had seen him play a few times. I asked her if she was a junior golfer, she said “not anymore”, but hastened to add that she was one of four Jamaicans who would be attending Grambling State University in Louisiana in August with full golf scholarships. I was blown away.

Two weeks ago when Ron Dumas, the executive director of Reaching Out For Kids Inc of Cincinnati, Ohio told me that they were finalising golf scholarships for four Jamaican young people, it did not have the same impact. Meeting one of the recipients face-to-face made a big difference. Now I can really feel the vision of Maureen Aarons when she set the foundation of the Junior Golf Programme at the Breezes Runaway Golf Club.

This programme is open to the children of the community and does not cost the parents one penny. In fact, many of the parents have never seen their children play. Most have no time; some have no interest. The desired end product for the kids: getting a college education based on the skills that they have honed on the golf course. Nicole made it.

Nicole Dixon is an 18-year-old graduate of Marcus Garvey Technical High. Her father is a Caddy at the club, so this facilitated her introduction to the game.

Many Jamaican caddies have many children, but how many of these children have been directed on this path? Nicole started playing the game five years ago as part of the Junior Programme. Her older brother also played, and was sponsored by an American family when he was only 16 years-old to go to the United States to complete his high school education and play golf.

Now he also has a golf scholarship to Grambling State University. So Nicole knew from first hand experience that it was possible. She has two other brothers who also play golf. The youngest is only seven years old. When she completed her high school education, she continued working on her game while helping out at the Breezes Runaway Club. Six months ago she got a job in the dining room at the hotel. But golf will be taking her away to another level.

Nicole Dixon has represented Jamaica in golf at home and in the Bahamas. Her handicap is now 10 and her best gross score to date is 80. She plans to study business and hospitality. She could make it to the LPGA, but this is not her main focus at this time.

Her big dream is to make it back to Jamaica as a transformed and educated person, thanks to golf and the Junior Programme at Breezes Runaway Bay. I can only hope that more Jamaican young people become aware of this possibility.

Dr Semaj is a frequent facilitator for Strategic Planning Retreats, Cultural Alignment and Organisational Restructuring. He conducts Staff Selection and Development Programmes for different business sectors across the Caribbean.