KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange, says through “small but giant steps”, Jamaica can be among the leaders in the world of golf.

Grange was speaking on Sunday at the launch of the first tournament in the Jamaica Pro Golf League Series at the Caymanas Golf Club, according to a release from her ministry.

“We have indeed produced some outstanding golfers, which is a strong indication that to get to the top in the sport is not out of our reach,” said Grange.

She said that, “we should be motivated by the fact that Jamaica is blessed with some of the most beautiful golf courses and was the first to have a golf course in the Caribbean and possibly the Western Hemisphere”.

Grange said the drive to increase participation in golf, especially among young people should continue and golfers should “use the Jamaica Pro Golf League Series as an impetus to catapult Jamaica towards the top of the sport”.

The Jamaica Pro Golf League Series is being staged for the first time and is geared towards getting local players and Caddies the exposure required to push the sport forward.

“My challenge now to you the present and future golfers that will be taking part in this tournament is for you to produce in five years at least one Jamaican golfer who qualifies for the LATINO PGA TOUR and that we will have a Jamaican golf team that qualifies for the 2024 Olympics since golf is now also an Olympic sport.”

The minister also urged the golfers to “play well, play within the rules and achieve great things” in order to show themselves, the organisers, sponsors and the country that the faith in them and their ability was not misplaced.

The first of six tournaments in the Jamaica Pro Golf League Series, conceptualised by Major Desmon Brown, General Manager, Independence Park Limited, ends today at the Caymanas Golf Club.

The other tournaments in the series will be held in April, June, August, October and December.