Jamaica Open launch signals major push for golf, tourism and youth development
Some of the main stakeholders (from left) Allan Beckford, general manager at SDF, Peter Chin, chairman of the Jamaica Open organizing committee, Zandre Roye, amateur golfer, Jodi Munn-Barrow, president of the JGA and tournament director, Oshae Haye, amateur golfer, as well as Chris Samuda, president of the Jamaica Olympic Association, along with pro golfer Sean Green (back row) happily pose with the event trophy at the launch of the 58th staging of the Jamaica Open on Tuesday, October 27, at the Constant Spring Golf Club in Kingston.
Key Points(5)
- The Jamaica Golf Association (JGA) is preparing for an international test at Tryall Golf Club, with organizers anticipating a competitive field and a potential US$100,000 prize purse for the 58th Jamaica Open Golf Championship, scheduled for November 7-10.
- The championship was officially launched Tuesday at Constant Spring Golf Club in Kingston, with 67 players from six countries already registered, including defending professional champion Martin Benjamin of Trinidad and Tobago.
- Tryall, in Hanover, will host the tournament for the sixth consecutive year.
- The main championship will be contested over 54 holes, with players completing 18 holes each day under a stroke-play format.
- Competitors who finish the full 54 holes will earn valuable world-ranking points.
The Jamaica Golf Association (JGA) is preparing for an international test at Tryall Golf Club, with organizers anticipating a competitive field and a potential US$100,000 prize purse for the 58th Jamaica Open Golf Championship, scheduled for November 7-10.
The championship was officially launched Tuesday at Constant Spring Golf Club in Kingston, with 67 players from six countries already registered, including defending professional champion Martin Benjamin of Trinidad and Tobago.
Tryall, in Hanover, will host the tournament for the sixth consecutive year. The main championship will be contested over 54 holes, with players completing 18 holes each day under a stroke-play format. Competitors who finish the full 54 holes will earn valuable world-ranking points.
Organizers work to close sponsorship gap
The Pro-Am tournament will open the program on Saturday, November 7, with an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start. Professionals and amateurs will compete in teams, providing an opportunity to exchange knowledge, build relationships and introduce overseas-based golfers to the course.
Peter Chin, chairman of the organizing committee, said the event had retained the backing of presenting sponsor Vybeware, which has supported the Open for four years. However, the impact of Hurricane Melissa has made sponsorship more challenging, with several companies that supported previous editions unable to return this year.
Chin welcomed the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) as a first-time sponsor, alongside continued assistance from the Sports Development Foundation (SDF). Organizers have also sought support from smaller sponsors through hole sponsorships and contributions to the tournament program.
"Sponsorship is one of the most critical elements of any event, particularly a professional event. We are very, very lucky that we have maintained Vybeware, who is the presenting sponsor and they have been with us for the last four years, but we are extremely lucky to have them. A number of the sponsors we have had in the past have not come on board this year. Because of Melissa a lot of companies have had setbacks but we are fortunate enough that JOA, who has come on board for the first time as a sponsor, and we have SDF who has supported us in the past. And we have gone after smaller sponsors this year, not big ticket but hole sponsorship and sponsorship for the program. And those have come in to help to fill the gaps that have been left by the others,” Chin said.
The prize fund will depend on the final number of entries. Chin said a field of 80 to 85 players could allow organizers to offer US$100,000, compared with the US$75,000 paid out in 2024 when participation was lower.
"If we have a full field, the prize money is 100,000 US. Last year, we had a smaller field than this. I shouldn't say last year, 2024 we had a smaller field than this year, and we were able to pay out 75,000 US dollars so if the field gets up to 80, 85, we'll probably be able to pay 100,000 dollars."
Open remains vital to golf development
JGA President Jodi Munn-Barrow, who will also serve as tournament director, said the registration numbers were encouraging, with more players expected before the championship begins.
“We have quite a few repeat persons, repeat players, and so we're looking forward to a very good event. We're up to about 66 persons and we do expect to have some more between now and next week. We hope that we can have some spectators come and see the beautiful Tryall course, learn about the game more importantly, and hope that that may pique their curiosity to the point where they might find an interest in coming out and playing golf too.”
Munn-Barrow emphasized that the Open is central to the association's ability to sustain its programs throughout the year, particularly its work in junior golf.
“This is our main financial earner for the association and the profits from this help to fund all of our development programs, especially through junior golf so not having the Open last year was a big blow to the association.”
JOA, SDF highlight golf's wider value
The JOA and SDF were represented at the launch by their respective officials, Christopher Samuda and Alan Beckford, both of whom reaffirmed the importance of supporting the sport.
Samuda said the JOA's backing reflected its commitment to ensuring that all sports receive meaningful support, while recognizing golf's potential to contribute to both national development and tourism.
"We've always supported on the basis of this principle, sport for all and all for sport and we have articulated on numerous occasions that we don't consider any sport small. Each sport must have an equal share of the wallet and it is on that principle that we inform our financial support for the various associations. Why golf? Because we see, of course, talent not only on the course but in the boardroom as well, and the commitment and dedication that they have for the sport. And at the Jamaica Olympic Association, we celebrate that. We celebrate those soft values that go into a human being in terms of how they decide they're going to operationalize their sport. The sport has a magnificent opportunity in this tournament, and I'm hoping that Corporate Jamaica will still come on board to support it. When we marry sport with tourism, and golf provides an excellent example, then we have returns not only for our economy but also returns for the association that would allow them to build a sustainable financial model to support the generations of golfers. So, we support it, and we will continue to support golf in a very real way,” Samuda said.
Beckford outlined the SDF's support at several levels, from youth development and the Pro-Am to national competition and administrative assistance.
"The Sports Development Foundation sees the importance of all sports in Jamaica, in particular golf. Golf benefits Jamaica in a number of ways. It gives all young Jamaicans, all Jamaicans as a matter of fact, an opportunity to play another sport. It's a healthy sport. It's good for physical activity. Also, it attracts tourists to Jamaica and visitors from overseas and helps to market our country. So, the SDF, over the years, we continue to support golf. We have supported the youth level, we have supported at the pro-arm level, and we're now supporting at the national level with the Jamaica Open. Also, we give administrative support as well to the Golf Federation."
Local golfers set personal targets
Three players at the launch also outlined their ambitions for the championship, with professional Sean Green targeting a top-10 finish and amateurs Oshae Haye and Zandre Roye hoping to make their mark.
Green, president of the Professional Golf Association, praised the JGA's record of staging the event and said he was eager to contribute to its continued growth.
"My expectation is that well run event, Jamaica Golf Association always delivers a top-class event. I also expect, from my own personal performance, a top ten. That's what I'm looking for. Been working hard at the game this year, so hopefully to present myself with the with a substantial finish, something that I know I can achieve. Outside of that, looking forward to growing the game. As the president of the Professional Golf Association and representing Jamaica in this event, I think it's important that we continue to show up, continue to play, continue to make this event the premiere event it is in the country."
Haye, meanwhile, is aiming to claim the amateur title for the first time and add the Jamaica Open to his collection of tournament achievements.
“I'm looking forward to a great tournament, as I always do. Just always have a last day bad finish. Looking forward to capitalize on that and have a good finish. For my tournament collection, this is the only tournament in Jamaica I don't have on it, so looking forward to put it with my tournament collection.”
Roye is seeking to improve on his previous 21st-place finish and believes a calm approach could put him in contention for the low-amateur award.
“Just stay calm throughout the tournament, you know, try and improve on my previous performances. I think last time I played, I finished 21st, so try to improve on that, you know. Hopefully, low amateur at the end of the week will be ideal.”
He said his preparation had been encouraging and that his focus was now on sharpening his game to suit the demands of Tryall.
“I'm hitting the ball pretty good. I like where my game is at. Now is not the time to take any breaks, you know just keep your foot on the gas. Try to fine-tune some of the aspects of your game, and try to build it around the playing style of that golf course.”
Vybeware returns as presenting sponsor, with additional support from Tryall Golf Club, the Jamaica Olympic Association, Sports Development Foundation, Jamaica Tours, ATL Automotive, BMW, Jamaica Tourist Board, Grand Palladium Group, Wata, Digicel and PXI.
The 58th Jamaica Open is expected to bring together professional and amateur competitors from Jamaica, the United States, Trinidad and Tobago, the Cayman Islands, Canada and Bermuda, while providing another platform to promote the sport and its contribution to tourism and youth development.
