Overwhelming turnout as JGA launches innovative ‘Grow The Game’ program
Key Points(5)
- The Jamaica Golf Association (JGA) has teed off a bold new initiative titled “Grow The Game”, designed to bring golf directly to the public and expand the sport’s reach across the island.
- Launched as part of the JGA’s centennial celebrations, the program is already generating strong interest, signaling a fresh chapter in the history of Jamaican golf.
- Jamaica holds a proud distinction in the sport, being home to the Manchester Golf Club in Mandeville—the oldest golf club in the Western Hemisphere.
- Now, through this initiative, the JGA aims to honor that heritage by making golf more inclusive and accessible.
- <h2>Overwhelming interest at Constant Spring</h2> The first staging of Grow The Game, held recently at the Constant Spring Golf Club in Kingston, was oversubscribed, with more aspiring golfers than spaces available.
The Jamaica Golf Association (JGA) has teed off a bold new initiative titled “Grow The Game”, designed to bring golf directly to the public and expand the sport’s reach across the island.
Launched as part of the JGA’s centennial celebrations, the program is already generating strong interest, signaling a fresh chapter in the history of Jamaican golf.
Jamaica holds a proud distinction in the sport, being home to the Manchester Golf Club in Mandeville—the oldest golf club in the Western Hemisphere. Now, through this initiative, the JGA aims to honor that heritage by making golf more inclusive and accessible.
Overwhelming interest at Constant Spring
The first staging of Grow The Game, held recently at the Constant Spring Golf Club in Kingston, was oversubscribed, with more aspiring golfers than spaces available. Many were invited to sign up for the next session, scheduled for Friday at the same venue.
Participants are guided by qualified coaches who introduce them to the sport’s fundamentals: putting, chipping, teeing off, rules of play, and even warm-up exercises. The structure offers a practical and welcoming entry point for beginners.
One participant, Ingrid Riley, described her first-time experience with contagious enthusiasm:
“I just came with an open mind… if golf likes me, and if I like golf. It turns out that I’m really into it. I like to see my balls fly. I like to learn the grip and the technique and try to be competitive with myself. So let’s see if I really take it seriously and maybe do it for a couple of weeks or a couple of months.”
Breaking barriers to entry
Respected coach Jason Lopez, who has served at the national level, praised the program’s vision of accessibility.
“It’s a really good initiative on behalf of the Jamaica Golf Association to help grow the game. There are no memberships needed, no clubs needed, no experience needed. We have coaches, all the equipment, and lights—we’re open seven days a week. These initiatives show that golf is accessible to everyone.”
Lopez outlined the structure of each 90-minute session, which is divided into three 30-minute blocks covering the full swing, putting, and chipping. “By the time they leave, they have a nice rounded view of what this golfing might be about,” he explained.
Strong female turnout
Former junior program leader Alison Reid expressed delight at the significant female participation.
“We actually had more females than men—35 women and five men, which is awesome. That’s very encouraging, because we’ve always struggled in the ladies’ divisions. It’s great to see them showing an interest.”
Building momentum into the future
According to Rowen Coe of the JGA, the initiative is only the beginning.
“This is all part of the 100th anniversary of the Jamaica Golf Association. We’re going to have more clinics like this, spread more widely. We didn’t have a lot of marketing time for this one, and it was still oversubscribed. The interest is there, and now we want to keep encouraging people to get lessons. There’s even a special membership for the summer at Constant Spring Golf Club.”
With its centennial year serving as a springboard, the JGA is driving forward with renewed energy to make golf more welcoming, diverse, and widely played across Jamaica.
