BAHAMAS Davis Cup team, from left to right, of captain Marvin Rolle, Donte Armbrister, Denali Nottage and Kevin Major Jr.

As of Thursday, June 22, 2023

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#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#THE Bahamas’ Davis Cup team has gotten off to a slow start at the American Zone lll Davis Cup in Asuncion, Paraguay.

#The team came into their third matchup of the week looking to bounce back after some tough losses to the Dominican Republic and Paraguay in previous games.

#However, the team suffered the same fate once again, this time losing to Costa Rica 3-0 at the International Tennis Club.

#The Pool B team needed the win to keep in contention to advance to the Americas Group ll in 2024.

#After going into yesterday’s matchup 0-2 at the Davis Cup, Team Bahamas looked to grab a win in one of three matches against Costa Rica.

#In match one, Grand Bahama’s Denali Nottage opened against Costa Rica’s Rodrigo Crespo Piedra.

#The matches went to two sets favouring Crespo Piedra 6-4 in the opening set and 6-2 in the final set.

#Nottage averaged 40% (18/45) on his first serves and 78% (14/18) on first serve points won.

#Meanwhile, his opponent averaged 57% on first serves and 81% on first serve points won. The Costa Rica player averaged 100% on second serves compared to Nottage’s 93%.

#After 1 hour and 3 minutes of action, Nottage amassed 37 total points won and his opponent capped off at 55 in the match.

#Kevin Major Jr, who made it to the Davis Cup for the seventh time, turned in a competitive match against Jesse Flores.

#The tightly-contested competition between the singles competitors went to three sets yesterday.

#The initial set went to Major, who earned a 7-6 win over Flores after winning the tiebreaker 7-5.

#In set two, both males were eager to get the win this time the tiebreaker went the other way favouring Costa Rica 7-6 following a 10-8 tiebreaker.

#In the final set, it was all Flores as he defeated Major 6-0 to get the win.

#In the final match, Team Bahamas was represented by Donte Armbrister and team captain Marvin Rolle.

#The captain is a seasoned member of the Davis Cup team, having earned the most years played (19), most total wins (43-37), and most doubles wins (29-22).

#The Bahamas needed a win to avoid sinking in an 0-3 hole.

#Costa Rica’s doubles duo of Luca Lo Nardo and Pablo Nunez brought their A-game and trumped The Bahamas in two sets 6-2, 6-2.

#The Bahamas remains last in Pool B with an 0-3 record after losing to Costa Rica, making it their first win of the Davis Cup.

#Pool B teams include Paraguay, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Honduras and The Bahamas.

#The top two teams will be promoted to the Americas Group ll in 2024.

#The Bahamas will look for its first win of the competition against Honduras today.

#Matchups wrap up on Saturday.

As of Thursday, June 22, 2023

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#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#THE Street Legends’ 10-week summer basketball league returned for its 18th year last week Saturday. The summer league was derailed from 2020, like most sporting events, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

#However, basketball action finally kicked off after three years at the Edmond E Moxey Community Center basketball park. The league is played in a constituency vs constituency format across four divisions.

#The divisions that will compete until August 19 are 8-11, 12-15, 16-19 and the men’s division.

#Wilton Russell, president of the Street Legends Organisation (SLO), said the mission of his team is to bring young men from the various constituencies together.

#“Our mission during the summer is to unite the young men of our various constituencies through our “Bridging the Gap” concept. We firmly believe that if we can hub our young men for 10 weeks during our programme with invited mentors speaking with them on a daily basis we can change this negative territory protected vibe,” Russell said.

#The president also believes that there are other benefits for the young men partaking in the 10-week summer basketball league.

#“New friendships will be forged during the summer, new friendly alliances will be made instead of this scared to go into various turfs because I don’t know these fellas [mentality],” he said.

#Street Legends, which has been in existence since 2004, is played on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

#According to the president, one of the main goals is to remove the stigma from the constituencies through the inner city constituency versus constituency summer basketball league.

#Teams included in the league are the Honourable Mario Bowleg Garden Hills Stingers, Honourable Glenys Hanna-Martin Englerston Warriors, FreeTown Superwash Wringers, Honourable Leroy Major Southern Shores Sweepers, Honourable Fred Mitchell Fox Hill A and B team, South Beach boys, St Anne’s High Flyers and the Southwest Plaza Gladiators.

#Although the weather has been inconsistent in their opening games, the competition between the boys and older males has not.

#Russell said games are going extremely well so far, competition is fierce and talent levels are up there with the best of the best.

#He added that the weather has been a bit challenging but it is also a bond-building exercise because the players work together to dry the courts as a result of being eager to play basketball.

#Despite the excitement and talent level of the various constituency teams, event organisers are appealing to corporate Bahamas and members of Parliament to sponsor the teams that represent their area.

#The next Street Legends games will take place on Friday starting at 5pm.

As of Thursday, June 22, 2023

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#BAHAMAS Aquatics completed a successful four days of competition of its 51st National Swimming Championships on Sunday at the Betty Kelly Kenning Swim Complex.

#The Mako Swim Club once again emerged as the national champions, earning their fifth consecutive title with a landslide victory over their nearest rivals, Barracuda Swim Club.

#At the end of the competition, Bahamas Aquatics presented a number of awards, including the high point winners in each age group. Here’s a look at the top performers:

#Girls 8-and-under – Cailyn Dean of the Blue Waves Swim Club with 57 points, followed by runner-up Rinia Johnson, her team-mate, with 43. Third place went to Kirsten Rolle, also of the Blue Waves, with 38.

#Boys 8-and-under – Kymani Cooper of Mako Aquatics Club with 49 points. Dylan Musgrove of Blue Waves was second with 41 and Cole Albury of the Barracuda was third with 39.

#Girls 9-10 – Taylen Nicholls and Sienna Campbell, both of Mako Swim Club, took the top two spots with 61 and 55 points respectively. Sharlkette Donaldson of the Mantas Swim & Water Polo Club was third with 40.

#Boys 9-10 – Nitayo Knowles of Alpha Aquatics won with 63 points. Dexter Russell of Freeport Aquatic got second with 47 and Logan Comarcho.of Alpha Aquatic was third with 33.

#Girls 11-12 – Saleste Gibson of the Barracuda took the title with 63 points with Skyler Smith of Alpha Aquatic trailing with 49. Alisaa Ferguson of the Barracuda had 45 for third.

#Boys 11-12 – Christon Joseph of the Blue Waves won a closely contested battle with 56 points, followed by David Singh of the Barracuda with 54 and Harold Simmons of Mako with 53.

#Girls 13-14 – Zoe Williamson of Mako topped the field with 61 points. Lelah Lewis of the Barracuda had 57 for second and her team-mate Madison Gilbert got third with 51.

#Boys 13-14 – Tristen Hepburn of Alpha Aquatics took a two-point margin for the win with 63 over Donald Saunders of Lightning Aquatics with 61. Malcolm Menzies of the Black Mantas Swim Club ended up third with 49.50.

#Girls 15-17 – Keianna Moss of Mako Aquatics Swim Club won with 61 points. Mia Patton of Alpha Swim Club came second with 53 and Kyana Higgs of the Barracuda Swim Club got third with 50.

#Boys 15-17 – Marvin Johnson of Mako Aquatic won the title with 63 points. Ellie Gibson of Alpha Aquatic got 50 for second and Emmanuel Gadson of the Barracuda Swim Club was third with 46.

#Girls 18-and-over – Zaylie-Elizabeth Thompson of Alpha Aquatic was the winner with 54 points. Katelyn Cabral of Mako Aquatic got second with 50 and Delaney Mizell of Lyford Swim Club came in third with 49.

#Boys 18–and-over – Sean Longley of the Barracuda Swim Club was the winner with 48 points. Lamar Taylor of Mako Swim Club got second with 45 and Mark-Anthony Thompson of Alpha Swim Club finished third with 42.

BAHAMAS Davis Cup team, from left to right, of captain Marvin Rolle, Donte Armbrister, Denali Nottage and Kevin Major Jr.

As of Wednesday, June 21, 2023

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#It was another heartbreaking loss yesterday for Team Bahamas at the American Zone III Davis Cup Tie in Asuncion, Paraguay.

#After dropping a 2-1 decision to the Dominican Republic in their opening match in pool B on Monday, the Bahamas suffered a 3-0 whitewashing against the host Panama yesterday.

#In the first match against Paraguay, Denali Nottage of Grand Bahama went the distance, losing 6-3, 5-7, 6-2 to Martin Antonio Vergara del Puerto in a match that lasted two hours and 26 minutes.

#Kevin Major Jr, the top seeded player, played against Paraguay’s top seed Adolfo Daniel Vallejo, losing in identical set scores of 6-4, 6-4 in one hour and 29 minutes.

#With the tie already wrapped up in favour of Paraguay, the Bahamas played in doubles with veteran Marvin Rolle teaming up for the second time with Donte Armbrister.

#But after winning the only match for the Bahamas on day one against the Dominican Republic, the Bahamas was unsuccessful against Paraguay, who came off a 3-0 sweep over Costa Rica in their opener on Monday. Rolle and Armbrister lost 6-4, 6-2 to Paraguay’s duo of Vallejo and Vergara del Puerto. Paraguay wanted to make sure that they didn’t give the Bahamas a chance against them.

#Rolle, the team captain, said despite the loss, the team played well.

#“Denali played a guy with points, so that gave him some confidence that he could go the distance,” Rolle said. “It was definitely a tough match with long points, very emotional. He was giving it his all. He made the Bahamas proud.”

#Reflecting on his performance, Nottage said as a rookie on the team, he felt he held his own.

#“I felt I played better than yesterday. I was nervous, overthinking from the start,” he stated. “But today, I felt a whole lot more comfortable.”

#As for Major Jr’s match, Rolle said he was steady and solid.

#“It just wasn’t his luck on his opponent’s serve. Most games, KJ was up 30-0 and the guy just got lucky on a few points,” Rolle said.

#“KJ is playing so well, but it’s just those key points.”

#Major Jr said it was a difficult time playing against Paraguay before their home crowd.

#“The guy came up with some really good shots in some key moments,” Major said. “I did what I could. I just fell a little short.”

#Against Costa Rica, Major said he’s looking forward to getting the Bahamas in the win column.

#“From here on it, it’s do or die. We can’t afford to give away any more matches,” he said. “We just have to keep on fighting.”

#In their doubles match against Paraguay, Armbrister said he and Rolle played well.

#“The first set, it was very competitive. We ended up losing the first set by a few points,” Armbrister said. “The second set, we started off good, but we got broken early to give our opponents the advantage.

#“But I was pretty happy with our performance. It was good playing with Marvin Rolle in these Davis Cup competitions. He’s just a veteran in doubles, which makes my job easier., He just knows what shots to hit.”

#Rolle said he enjoyed the experience playing with Armbrister as well.

#“We had a tough one. The guys played well. They got revenge from last year because I beat them last year. They say they were going to beat us to get their revenge,” Rolle pointed out.

#“But it was a good match overall. We had our chances.”

#Against Costa Rica today, Rolle said they just have to come out strong because they can’t take any team for granted. He said they will definitely try to get in the win column.

Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association Jr Tennis Nationals wraps up today

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS: Chase Newbold (under 12 boys singles champion) with the runner up Khai Rees and Patrick Mactaggart (under 14 boys singles champion) alongside runner up Ayai Bethel yesterday at the National Tennis Centre.

As of Wednesday, June 21, 2023

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GIRL POWER: Vonteneke Rolle, winner of the under 12 girls singles competition, is alongside runner up Caitlyn Pratt.

#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#THREE junior champions were crowned after their finals matchups at the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association’s (BLTA) Junior Tennis Nationals.

#Patrick Mactaggart, Chase Newbold, and Vonteneke Rolle were among the first champions to be crowned as the remaining finals matchups and doubles competition will continue today at the National Tennis Centre (NTC).

#The championships got underway on Friday last week and will wrap up today after hosting 100 tennis players in singles and doubles matches for the under 12 through 18 divisions.

#Mactaggart vs Ayai Bethel

#Mactaggart took down one of Eleuthera’s top junior tennis players, Ayai Bethel. He came into the junior tennis nationals fresh off a win in the under-14 boys category at the Spring Classic tourney.

#Mactaggart defeated Bethel in the under-14 boys singles matchup in two sets 6-0, 6-0 to once again win the championship of his age group.

#The newest champion talked about his comfortable win. “I played pretty well it’s always good finishing off with a 6-0,6-0 but overall I had a pretty good tournament,” he said. He added that his game plan was to keep the ball in play, do not push it, and hit it.

#Bethel, the under 14 boys runner up, said despite it being a tough loss it was a great match and he credited Mactaggart for simply being a better player in the matchup. Overall, he said it was a good time making it to his first finals and he will hope for a better showing next time.

#Newbold vs Khai Rees

#Similar to Mactaggart, Newbold not only left the Spring Classic tourney as a champion but followed it up with another win at the junior tennis nationals this week. Newbold closed out Rees in the under 12 boys singles matchup in two sets. He ended the match 6-3 in set one and 6-1 in set two.

#Newbold talked about adding another championship hardware to his collection.

#“In the first set I don’t think I did as well as the second set I had to push myself and push my energy also but overall in the tournament I think I did good,” he said.

#He added that it felt good to be the champion of his age group because he felt that he worked hard enough in practice to put it into play on the tennis court. He said the feeling was indescribable winning two straight titles in his final year of primary school. He will now look to continue his success at St Andrew’s next.

#Rolle vs Caitlyn Pratt

#In one of the more competitive matchups on the day, Rolle versus Pratt was must-see action at the NTC. The two competitors gave it their all and seemed evenly matched most of the game with Pratt taking the first set 6-0. However, Rolle was determined to stay in the under 12 girls singles competition. In a tightly-contested second set Rolle finished 7-6 over Pratt. With one tiebreaker set remaining, Rolle collected another win after scoring 6-4 to topple Pratt in set three.

#The under 12 girls champion talked about how it felt to earn a comeback victory over the Spring Classic champion for their age group.

#“I just had confidence and I pushed my way back…I started putting a spin on my ball and just hitting with more power,” she said.

#With the remaining finals resuming today including the doubles competition, Jerald Carroll will look to come out on top as a triple crown champion. Carroll will compete in three matches, including doubles competition, today to complete the triple crown feat once again.

#“I am excited I have to prepare for my match tomorrow get some good sleep and just come out and play my game and I know I can win if I play how I usually play,” Carroll said.

#Matchups get underway 9am this morning at the NTC.

As of Wednesday, June 21, 2023

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YOUTH, Sports and Culture Minister Mario Bowleg. Photo: Donavan McIntosh/Tribune Staff

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#WITH the opening of the new Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium, the Bahamas Baseball Association has decided to bring its G-Ball Andre Rodgers National Baseball Championships back to New Providence.

#The event, which was moved to Grand Bahama about 10 years ago, will be in New Providence for the second consecutive year and will be played from Thursday to Sunday at the new stadium for teams in the youth under-16 and senior 20-and under divisions. The coach pitch for 8-and-under, minors 10-and-under, the majors 12-and-under and the juniors 14-and-under will get started on Friday at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.

#BBA secretary general Theodore ‘Teddy’ Sweeting said this will be the 20th edition of the championships that got started back in 2003.

#This year’s honoree will be the late Calvin ‘Cow’ Martin of Grand Bahama, who passed away last year.

#Martin was instrumental in assisting the BBA in the formation of the championships.

#“We just want to show our respect to him as his daughter will be there to receive an award from us during the opening ceremonies on Thursday night at the new Andre Rodgers Stadium,” Sweeting said.

#The ceremonies will get started at 6:30pm with an awards presentation, led by Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg.

#The featured game in the youth 16-and under division will be played between Freedom Farm and the Legacy Baseball League out of Grand Bahama.

#“It will be a very interesting matchup because Legacy has a very strong team, composed of a lot of players who are playing in the various academies and high schools in the United States,” Sweeting said.

#“They feel they are very strong and feel they deserve to be highlighted in that area. But they will no doubt have their hands filled with Freedom Farm, who also boast of having some very talented players of that age group who are also playing overseas.”

#Tickets are priced at $7 for children and $12 for adults for the one day pass, but persons purchasing their ticket for Thursday’s opening will be allowed to use their band for Friday’s action, which will get started at 8am at both the new stadium with the under-18 and at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex with the other age group competition.

#Tickets for the three days combined are priced at $30 for adults and $15 for children, which will allow them access into both the new stadium and the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.

#Teams will be participating from the Abaco Youth Baseball and Softball League, North Abaco Big Nige Baseball League, Community Baseball League, Ed Armbrister Baseball League, Freedom Farm Baseball League, Junior Baseball League of Nassau, Grand Bahama Little League, Grand Bahama Amateur Baseball League and Legacy Baseball League.

#The Brice-Newball Foundation is this year’s title sponsor. They will be joined by other sponsors, including Vitamalt, Global Sun, G-Ball, Reloaded Baseball, Insurance Management, Gatorade, Focol out of Grand Bahama and Bahamasair, the national airline of the Bahamas.

#Sweeting said the sponsors are banding together to help the association put on a spectacular show as they christen the new stadium during this year’s championships.

#“It’s going to be a wonderful time for everybody to come out and watch us as we celebrate baseball in this country during our national championships,” Sweeting said.

#The championships was originally staged in New Providence for 10 consecutive years, but it was switched to Grand Bahama, which became the home of the championships for almost a decade.

#“The fans can expect a lot of competition from our top leagues, Freedom Farm, JBLN and Grand Bahama Aamateur League as well as Legacy Baseball League,” Sweeting projected.

#“They will be providing a lot of competition for the scouts who will be in town. We will have some college coaches in town as well as they get to see some of our best talent compete and do their evaluation.”

#On Thursday, Sweeting said there will be a College Showcase in the stadium from 10am to 4pm where at least 10 players coming from the United States will be joining a number of local players.

#And the action will be viewed by about four college coaches coming in for the championships.

#“We want to do it every year before the nationals so that we can give our young men the opportunity to be exposed to the visiting college and pro scouts who come down for the championships,” Sweeting said.

#The championship will conclude on Sunday with the bronze and gold medal games. In the event that there is rain this weekend, Sweeting said there have been some provisional plans to play at various sites at Freedom Farm and the JBLN’s Field of Dreams.

As of Wednesday, June 21, 2023

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#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#WITH the sixth edition of the Bahamas Golden Jubilee Games set to take place in less than three weeks, the Bahamas Basketball Federation (BBF) released the schedule for the sport this past weekend.

#The games will feature two pools ( A and B) and continue from July 11 to July 15. The games will be played by the 10 men’s basketball teams and the six women’s teams at both the DW Davis Gymnasium and Kendal G L Isaacs Gymnasium.

#Eugene Horton, president of the BBF, talked about the excitement surrounding the return of The Bahamas Games for the 50th year of Independence.

#“I am excited to see the Bahamas Games returning as a former participant I experienced good, friendly competition and camaraderie I am sure this year’s will not disappoint,” Horton said.

#With the last Bahamas Games taking place in 2001, nearly 22 years ago, the Olympic-style competition will have some surprise elements for the basketball sporting discipline starting 9am on Tuesday, July 11.

#Bahamians were able to get a sneak peek of the competition-level of the Family Island teams at the round robin tournament in April.

#“If the round robin in April was any indication the Bahamian public is in for a treat as the competition is expected to be better…. we will have the opportunities to see the ladies in action which we didn’t get to see,” Horton said.

#The BBF president added that the women’s games will be highly competitive as they will feature a good mix of veteran players, current national team players along with current and upcoming national standouts.

#The teams expected to battle on the court are the Abaco Survivors, Andros Chiccharnies, Bimini and Berry Islands Marlins, Columbus Isles Arawaks (Cat Island, Rum Cay, and San Salvador), Eleuthera Adventurers, Exuma and Ragged Island Navigators, Grand Bahama Lucayans, Long Island Sheep Runners, MICAL (Mayaguana, Inagua, Crooked Island, Acklins, and Long Cay) Flamingoes and the New Providence Buccaneers.

#With the countdown for the Bahamas Golden Jubilee Games drawing closer to July 7-15 for the 16 sporting disciplines, the BBF is trying to stay ahead of the game for basketball.

#“After speaking with the coaches and island associations preparations are going very well we are on target, schedule is completed, and Freddie Brown and team are starting initial dialogue with teams on rules and what is expected,” Horton said.

#The basketball games will be played for five consecutive days leading up to a championship game for both the men and women on July 15 at the Kendal G L Isaacs gymnasium.

#The BBF are anticipating high crowd turnouts for the games and for individuals unable to attend in-person due to time conflicts the games can be followed online at https://bbfbasketball.com/.

#The Bahamas Games were established in 1989 by Peter J Bethell and previously took place in 1991, 1995, 1998, and 2001. This year’s return coincides with the celebration of the 50th year of independence with the slogan ‘Our Nation, Our Islands, Our Games’. The sixth edition of the Olympic-style event will showcase 16 sporting disciplines at 16 different locations July 7-15

RAINING BUCKETS: Over 200 girls and boys combined gathered at the Kendal G L Isaacs Gymnasium yesterday to learn basketball fundamentals courtesy of the Basketball Smiles summer camp. Photos by Tenajh Sweeting

As of Wednesday, June 21, 2023

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#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#THE Basketball Smiles camp returned to The Bahamas for the 24th year this week.

#The basketball camp from the United States got underway on Monday at the Kendal G L Isaacs Gymnasium and will wrap up by the end of this week.

#The camp hosted over 200 girls and boys between ages 4-16 with the aim of teaching them the basic fundamentals of basketball.

#Sam Nichols, retired head coach of women’s basketball at McMurry University, talked about the success of the 24th edition of the camp so far.

#“It has been great, we have been fortunate enough to have Kendal G L Isaacs [gym] which helps because what makes for a great camp is coach to player ratio and having adequate facilities.

#“The coaches that came with me from Texas are great coaches and with the facilities here it has allowed us to have a quality camp with more kids,” Nichols said.

#With more than 200 boys and girls in attendance at Basketball Smiles, the retired Hall of Famer women’s coach said the coaching experience of his team has helped them to manage the different personalities at the camp.

#“Our coaches have a lot of experience, we have coaches that have won state championships, collegiate championships, and they have kids from different ethnicities and backgrounds at home [and] we view this as a sacrifice so when we come here it is not about us, it’s about that boy or that girl,” he said.

#Although he acknowledged that it can be difficult at times, he knows that kids are just being kids so his team of coaches practices an adequate amount of grace but discipline at the same time. Among some of the basketball skills to be acquired at this year’s camp are footwork, ball-handling and shooting skills, and defensive abilities.

#Accasico Nottage, a two-time returning camp participant, talked about his experience this year.

#“I am enjoying it a lot. I learned that the game of basketball is a lot more about teamwork. And I have learned how to dribble a lot better and it has helped me to slim down a bit,” Nottage said.

#The 16-year-old credited coach Patricia “Patty” Johnson for encouraging him to join the camp over the years.

#Although there were few return participants due to COVID-19, Reonardo McKenzie was one of the first timers to join Basketball Smiles this time around.

#He said his first time felt great and everything has been going good so far.

#The 14-year old decided to join after being referred by a friend and has learned better ball-handling skills.

#The girls usually practice at Basketball Smiles between 9am to noon.

#Coach Nichols believes that this year has been one of the best years talentwise for the ladies.

#In attendance was Bahamian junior women’s basketball player and CARIFTA bronze-medallist Terrell McCoy.

#She said she has been attending the camp since knowing coach Johnson and it has been very helpful to her.

#“Basketball Smiles is a very good camp. I have been here about five years, it’s an amazing camp for them to come down and teach us new things and be very patient and hardworking with us,” McCoy explained.

#She added that she is working on her ball-handling skills to complement her abilities as a post player.

#The Basketball Smiles camp is scheduled to resume at the Kendal G L Isaacs Gymnasium today at 9am.

SHOWN, from left to right, are Agatha Mona Delancy, Flamingos Women’s Golf Club 242 Founder and Executive Coordinator; Laurie Bethel Lightfoot, Executive Committee Member/ Constitutionalist; Diane Miller, Club Treasurer/ Membership Chair; and Anja Charles, Executive Committee/ Coordinator, Special Events.

As of Wednesday, June 21, 2023

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#THE Flamingos Women’s Golf Club 242 celebrated Women’s Golf Day this month, hailing the women who are blazing trails in the sport, and encouraging new members to join.

#Women’s Golf Day is more than just one day; it’s a week-long celebration that takes place around the world, highlighting women and girls playing golf and learning skills that last a lifetime.

#This year’s week was commemorated from May 30 to June 6.

#Flamingos president Agatha Mona Delancy rallied club members to celebrate one another and to never forget the path laid in a sport that will ultimately grow with women’s participation in the future.

#“For this year, Flamingos Women’s Golf Club 242 decided that a most fitting way to honour some of the movers and shapers of women’s golf in The Bahamas was to present them to those of us who are a part, or desirous of becoming a part of this community of golfers,” Delancy said.

#The list includes more than 40 women in New Providence, and seven Grand Bahama women – all who have made significant contributions to women’s golf in The Bahamas.

#Among those recognised were Georgette Rolle-Harris, founder of Fourteen Clubs, Inc., which includes about 100 skilled tournament golfers as well as some 800 juniors from public schools.

#Other women who were highlighted for Women’s Golf Day include National Amateur Championship Golfers Raquel Riley, Ingrid Black and Alena Hutchinson.

#National team members and golf administrators were also highlighted, including: Paula Newchurch-Cooper; Giselle Pyfrom; Jamecia Duncombe; Jaqueline (Jackie Longley); Pauline Curry; Gina Rolle-Rodriguez; Jenna Bayles; Inecia Rolle; Anja Charles; Sharon Cleare; Ann-Marie Hepburn; Janet (Jan) Pyfrom; Dr. Patti Symonette; Stephanie Carey; Vanria Munnings; Ethelyn Davis; Danielle Roninson; D’Andrielle Robinson; Michelean Poitier; Donnett Bain; Paula Von Hamm; Fran Dillett; Maria Campbell; Sheila Taylor; and Beryl Higgs. Posthumously, Muriel Eneas; Eloise Lochkart-Pinder; Gerry Smith; Yvonne Shaw; and Bettye Stubbs were recognised.

#President Delancy was also lauded for her immeasurable contributions to the sport of golf in The Bahamas. Sixteen years ago, she was elected as president of the Bahamas Golf Federation.

#It marked the first time in history that this position was held by a woman. With her leadership and guidance, the federation grew by leaps and bounds, and more women were inspired to take up the sport of golf.

#Paula Newchurch Cooper was celebrated as a repeat outstanding member of the CAGC George Teale Cup Team.

#Her phenomenal performances earned her the distinction as one of the best women competitors of the game.

#She accomplished the feat of being the only female player to make a hole-in-one on a Par Four Hole (the former Cable Beach Golf Course).

#Flamingos have plans in the works to help increase the amount of golf players in the country, rally support for young golfers, and advance the sport nationally.

TEE-OFF THIS SUNDAY: The 21st annual Duke of Edinburgh Cup, the Bahamas’ semifinals of the Charity Golf Tournament, is all set for Sunday at the Ocean Golf Club on Paradise Island.

As of Wednesday, June 21, 2023

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#THE 21st annual Duke of Edinburgh Cup, the Bahamas’ semifinals of the Charity Golf Tournament, is all set for Sunday at the Ocean Golf Club on Paradise Island.

#And according to Viana Gardiner, the vice president of public affairs and special projects for the host Atlantis resort, they are anticipating one of the most exciting events staged so far.

#The event, which supports the Governor General’s Youth Award Programme, will tee off at 8am. It will close out with the awards ceremonies, which will be attended by Governor General CA Smith.

#“We put on this tournament every year so that the proceeds can go to the Governor General’s Youth Award Programme,” Gardiner said. “They are like a youth organisation.

#“Their sole purpose is to empower young people. They do a lot of outdoor physical activities and camping. So it’s their way of trying to prepare these young people to be world ready and to take on life changes and so we have partnered with them to help raise some funds.”

#The tournament is designed for teams of four, which is broken down into a pair of teams where the top twosomes of the winning team get an all-expense paid trip to England to participate in the finals, which is the top prize.

#Tireflex is offering a brand new Mercedes Benz for a hole in one; Atlantis will provide multiple weekend stays at its resort and dinners at various restaurants; John Bull gives an assortment of jewellery and there’s also dinner prizes at Graycliff.

#This year, as a part of the 50th anniversary of the Bahamas, Gardiner revealed that Fidelity Bank & Trust and Doctor’s Hospital are both coming on board as gold sponsors, providing $15,000 each.

#Cable Bahamas silver sponsors at $10,000 and there are several bronze sponsors.

#“A really important aspect of the tournament this year is the fact that we have added a special day on Saturday where we will once again host a student golf clinic for the students of the GGYA,” Gardiner said.

#“Last year, we entertained about 70-75 students from the programme, who got to come over to the golf course and they were instructed by the golf course pro instructor.”

#Gardiner said they intend to host their second GGYA clinic on Saturday starting at 10am.

#“Some of them have never been exposed to the game of golf and don’t understand the game,” Gardiner said.

#“So it’s like a tutorial introduction to the game. This gives us a chance to spend some time with them because the tournament on Sunday is for the adult golfers.

#“So this gives them a chance to get their chance to enjoy themselves.”

#So far, more than 108 players have already registered to participate in the tournament on Sunday.

#“The tournament could not take place without corporate sponsors and so we are so very grateful for all of the corporate sponsors, who assist us year after year,” Gardiner said.

#“The funds go directly to the students of the GGYA programme.”