THE JAMAICA Golf Association (JGA) and the University of the West Indies (UWI), through their Golf Development Foundation, awarded their first educational grant yesterday at the university's campus.
Damion Spencer received $150,000 to cover the cost for tuition, books, transportation and meals for the 2004-05 academic year at the UWI. Spencer, a 21-year-old, first-year sociology major, was the first recipient of a grant from the JGA/UWI Golf Scholarship Fund which was founded in 1998 to assist youths who play golf and wish to pursue a tertiary education. Today, the fund stands at $2.3 million.
"From the beginning, the mission was that of raising funds for assisting high academic achievers with proven golf talent but of limited financial resources to pursue tertiary education at the UWI," said JGA president Gordon Hutchinson.
Spencer, who started out as a caddie 10 years ago, was elated on receiving the grant.
GOOD FEELING
"It feels good being the first recipient of the scholarship," said Spencer, "the money will truly serve its purpose".
Spencer will be required to pursue his golfing career and will follow a rigorous programme with the benefit of professional coaching and participation in at least six JGA qualifying tournaments. He must also maintain good academic standing and a top-10 rank on the JGA Order of Merit rating for a possible renewal of the scholarship.
The eligibility criteria for the grant are:
Jamaica nationals or nationals of a contributing country of the UWI who have been resident in Jamaica for three years.
Must be no older than 22 years of age on the 30th of September of the year of the award.
Must have been accepted to the UWI for full-time study leading to a degree.
Verifiable financial need.
Attainment of a high standard of proficiency in golf.
GOLF CLASSIC
The JGA/UWI Golf Scholarship Fund is fed by the annual Alliance/UWI Golf Classic which was also launched yesterday on the UWI campus.
In its seventh year, 100 players will compete at the Caymanas Golf and Country Club on October 31 for the Vice Chancellor's Trophy.
There will also be 20 other prizes including awards for 'Longest Drive' and 'Nearest the Pin'.
Tastee Patties Ltd. will tee off its fourth annual Member/Caddie golf tournament at the Constant Spring Golf Club this morning at 6:00.
The event will see members of the club being paired with the caddies in a Two Ball Better Ball format, vying for prizes and cash awards respectively.
Defending champions Jassel Dunstan and Charles Dickenson will be back to defend their title against strong contending teams such as Ian Garbutt/Keith Purge, Leiza Blakeley/Mark Harris, Livingston Williams/Arthur Geddes, Patrick Lewis/Dave Lyn and Mark Blakeley/Gladston Webb.
