Pure Silk LPGA Season Kicks Off With Kids Clinic

Bahamas A Hallmark Stop For Golf Tournament

Paradise Island, Bahamas – The organizers of the 2016 Pure Silk Bahamas LPGA Classic have already gotten the ball rolling with events related to the much-anticipated golf tournament by hosting a Kids Clinic at the Ocean Club Golf Course on September 18.

Jaye Marie Green, who was crowned rookie of the year in 2014, hosted the clinic.

The group consisted of children between the ages of four and 14 years.

Ms. Green, who has been in The Bahamas a number of times, said she enjoyed interacting with the children.

“It’s awesome and their passion for golf is really cool and knowing that they are going to be really excited for when the tour comes here and now I feel like I will recognize them when I come back,” she said. 

“I taught them about warming up, different types of shots and how to play in wind because it is so windy here and some other tips. I love being here in The Bahamas. I feel like it is my home away from home. The tournament in The Bahamas is one of our favourite stops because it is so beautiful and the people are so nice. How could you not like being here? It is incredible.”

Jeff Raedle of Global Golf Management said officials have already begun promoting the Pure Silk LPGA Bahamas event across the United States.

 “Everyone was happy about last year’s event. It was very good weather and a great field. The Bahamas is a hallmark stop for the tournament. The players have it cemented in their calendar that they are coming back to the Islands of The Bahamas. There couldn’t be a better spot. It’s cold up north and people are going to see the pageantry that comes along with this great golf facility and we are excited.”

While most golf fans anticipate the event, parents of the children are happy to bring their kids out for the clinic.

Jan Knowles, who brought her 10-year-old son Ethan Missick, said her son anticipates the clinic.

“This is second time participating in a clinic and it’s always great for him to participate one-on-one with a golf professional. It’s always very valuable and I like to make the effort to bring him and ensure that he has this opportunity,” she said.

Natalie Tynes brought her two daughters ages – 9 and 14 – to the clinic.

“We are regulars at these clinics and we have been participating for the past three to four years. They are learning a lot from these clinics and it is great that the players take the time out to mentor these children,” she said.

“I hope to participate as much as I can.”     

Pure Silk and the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism signed a three-year contract, which includes a purse increase of $100,000 to $1.4 million, and establishes the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic as the season-opening event on the LPGA schedule; a position it occupied in 2014.

The 2016 tournament is scheduled for January 25-31.

Earlier this year in the third edition of the tournament, 22-year-old LPGA rookie Sei Young Kim of South Korea became a Rolex first-time winner when she sank a 4-foot birdie putt on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff to defeat Sun Young Yoo and Ariya Jutanugarn.

The event drew seven of the top 10 professional golfers in the Rolex World Rankings and 28 of the top 30 on the 2014 LPGA Money List.