KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Honourable Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, has announced the first Pro-Am Golf Tournament of the new administration representing the first teams in the entire sport of golf on Friday, November 2, 2007, at the Half Moon Conference Center in Rose Hall Montego Bay.
The Minister praised the group for its achievement in advancing to its present position of having the largest number of teams from the inception of the tournament. The 52 teams were represented at the launch event.
Sports tourism groups such as this one was credited by the Minister in helping to achieve a record month in October with 9% growth above last year’s growth in Jamaica, reversing the negative trends and ending the year on a positive note.
“Golf is going to be a major platform of this administration,” the Minister said. He went on to say that the increase of room stock to over the next few years to 5000 rooms will attract more golf to the tourism sector.
He ended his presentation with the promise that Jamaica will attract top end golfing in the Caribbean and will become known not only as the Land of Wood and Water, but as the Land of Wood, Water and World-class golfing.
Managing Director of Travel & Leisure Golf, Thomas Jaronski added to the festive occasion
by promising that the next 4 days provide an experience second to none. Referring to Jamaica’s national motto: out of many one people, he said “in the days ahead we’ll become one people by embracing the competitive spirit.” He encouraged them to enjoy themselves away from the golf course, with that he declared the games open and wished the 52 teams the best of luck.
Jaronski noted that Travel & Leisure Golf is the leader in international leisure golfing. The emphasis on the Caribbean is to target luxury travel and to appreciate the natural resources that Jamaica is known for. This opportunity he said is a phenomenal jump start for Travel & Leisure Golf now in its second year.
