A wonderful success is how Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee(TTOC) president Michael Romany described the TTOC/ Atlantic Let’s Play Golf Camp in Tobago which was conducted from the 15th to 19th August at the Tobago Plantations Beach and Golf Resort. The camp, ,a pilot project,comes under the TTOC’s Shape the Community programme.
150 children between the ages of 5 and 17 participated in the five day event which introduced to the youngsters in the Sister Isle to all the elements of golf albeit in a modified form. Falling between miniature golf and regulation golf, SNAG (Starting New At Golf) allows for full shots, pitching, chipping, and putting. SNAG is a proven learning and training tool for entry level golfers. Guided by a team of expert coaches led by head pro Ricky Campbell, the children were taught basic techniques with an emphasis on having fun.
With the help of the Tobago House of Assembly (T.H.A) buses were provided daily to transport children from various communities. The THA’s support ensured that as many children as possible were able to attend the inaugural camp on a daily basis. Kiss Baking Company provided a variety of snacks for the camp participants. Also contributing to the success of the first time effort were Tobago Plantations Ltd,Trinidad and Tobago Golf Association who made sure all the golf equipment required was present everyday and Tracmac Ltd who provided transport for the camp coordinators.
Highlight of the final day of the camp was the mini golf tournament held on the driving range. That saw the children playing nine holes of challenging but fun filled golf. Participants were presented with their certificates from Golf Director, Ricky Campbell, and the TTOC camp Coordinator, Troy Romany.
The overwhelming success of the pilot project has motivated the TTOC, Tobago Plantations Beach and Golf Club and the Millennium Lakes Golf and Country Club to continue the programme in September.
TTOC president Michael Romany felt the enjoyment and warm and enthusiastic reception the TTOC and its partners received was an indication that the decision to stage the camp was” well worth the effort”.
“The TTOC’s Legacy strategies place a heavy demand on our resources. Tobago is a strategic priority in terms of our outreach objectives. We are determined to include Tobago in all our activities especially the programmes and projects that involve children. Without the support of the THA and title sponsors Atlantic the camp would not have been possible.”