THREE Ocho Rios youngsters, products of the Sandals Golf Academy, were selected on Jamaica’s team to the Caribbean Amateur Junior Golf Championships slated for August 3-8 in The Bahamas.

Dwight Moulton and Austin Swaby played brilliantly to emerge first and second in the 11-13 age group, while Zandre Roye placed third in the 14-15 category, at the National Junior Trials held at Caymanas Golf Club, to book their first Jamaica selection.

The trio was part of a six-member team from the Sandals Golf Academy which participated in the event. Eleven members had initially played in the pre-trials event.

Moulton, Swaby and Roye started playing the game just two years ago at the then Sandals Golf and Country Club, (now Upton Golf and Country Club) as part of a programme designed to give youngsters from the neighbouring community the opportunity through sport to also expand their opportunities in life through education.

The Academy is now being formalised under the umbrella of the Sandals Foundation, whose director of programmes Heidi Clarke said “We are so pleased that three of our young players were chosen to represent Jamaica in the Bahamas. This is just the beginning of our programme which already includes exposing the children to the sport of golf on a weekly basis, mentoring them and monitoring their school progress,” she said.

A beaming Roye was overjoyed at being selected to the team.

“This is what I’ve been working for all of this year,” he said.

“I tried to practice hard to reach this level. The trials was hard but I tried my best to keep up with the course and not let the course play me. I didn’t play my best golf, but I am so happy I made it,” he added.

For Roye, playing golf has been a life-changing experience and has also helped him to be more disciplined and excel in school. Since the start of his golfing career, his grades have improved dramatically.

“Without golf I don’t know where I would be today,” Roye noted. “Before Sandals took me in I used to be on the streets playing, now it’s from school to the golf course and it has made me a better person.”

A happy Swaby said. “I feel so good. I really practiced hard. I heard the course was tough but I played well and finished second overall. I am so relieved.”

Dave Reid, head professional at Upton Golf and Country Club, said he was “very proud of their efforts, as it is not easy to play on a strange course which played some five shots harder during the trials”.

He lauded the players for their dedication and work ethic under the stewardship of coach Bill Williams, the assistant professional.

The players will now be undergoing rigorous and intensive training at the Academy to sharpen their games for the upcoming event.