TRYALL, Hanover — ORGANISERS of the Jamaica Open Golf Championship are expecting even better support for this year’s staging of the event, set for November 12-15 at the Tryall Golf Club in Hanover.

The event, which returned last year after a two-year hiatus due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, had been deemed a success on its return.

“Last year was very good; we had a very good turnout for last year and we are hoping for even better this year,” said Jodi Munn-Barrow, the first female president of the Jamaica Golf Association (JGA).

She was speaking with the Jamaica Observer West after participating in the recently held CUMI-Tryall Charity Golf Tournament in Hanover during which she walked away with the Luke Therian Memorial Trophy for closest to the pin during the event.

Munn-Barrow said for the upcoming JGA tournament she is expecting a contingent of overseas golfers, as well as former PGA players, to show off their skills on the course.

“It’s good to get some former PGA tour players and even some current Korn Ferry Tour players so we can get a lot of exposure for Jamaica and for Jamaican golf,” she said, adding that it would be a boost for the local tourism product.

She stressed, however, that one of the biggest benefits coming out of the tournament will be the local amateurs getting a chance to earn ranking points.

“It’s our biggest event for even the amateurs — they get world ranking points out of it which helps them to qualify for other international events,” she explained.

Golfer William Knibbs says he is looking forward to the tournament.

I’m starting the grinding from now so I can be in shape by the time it [the tournament] comes around,” he remarked, adding that “I expect to contend for the win.”