ROSE HALL, St James — Fifteen youngsters from the Flankers community near Montego Bay were last weekend introduced to the sport of golf with lessons from top professional Robert Ames at the Cinnamon Hill Golf Course.

The lessons which took place on November 5 came during the Ocean Style Celebrity Golf Tournament and was in association with the Sandals Foundation.

Children ranging between ages 10-15 years old had the opportunity to learn the basic art of playing golf, including gripping, putting and the short game.

Several celebrities including 1996 Olympic games 100m champion Donovan Bailey, as well as actors Anthony Anderson and Rockmond Dunbar, created much excitement among the children as they took time out to interact with them during the tournament.

The 18-hole Celebrity Golf Tournament which was held at Cinnamon Hill Golf Course, saw a total of 14 teams and 57 players competing for charity to raise funds, where part proceeds will go towards the Flankers Peace & Justice Centre’s expansion programme — a major project which is also funded by the Sandals Foundation.

Director of programmes for the Sandals Foundation, Heidi Clarke noted, “This new partnership with Ocean Style was a significant one for the children living in the Flankers community.

“The foundation seeks to support sports development within the community as well as expose children to sporting events that will garner great interest which will, in turn, help to identify future golf stars from Jamaica.”

Cinnamon Hills director of golf Robert Ames, who engaged the children during the tutorial session, concurred.

“The partnership was an excellent idea which was initiated by the Ocean Style chief editor Douglas Gordon. I am personally pleased with the turnout from the children as they are enthused to learn the game.

“Golfing is seen as a sport that calls for discipline and patience. As such, this was one of the fun ways we could instill such characteristics in our youths,” said Ames.

With the growing interest of golf as a sport among youths, the Sandals Foundation will host the upcoming Panasonic Golf Tournament at the Sandals Golf & country club next weekend.