Bahamas Golf Federation Joins with Troy Men’s Golf Team for Mid-Week Clinic Ahead Of White Sands Bahamas NCAA Invitational
October 27, 2022 (Paradise Island, Bahamas) – Sixteen-year-old Mia Underwood has been practicing golf for only a month, but she is already hooked and thinking about switching from playing soccer, where she is one of the youngest members of the elite Bahamas National Team. Thirteen-year-old Chemari Pratt has been playing for eight years and has her sights on playing in college and then becoming a winner on the LPGA.
Both are enrolled at the Bahamas Golf Federation, which hosted the Troy University men’s golf team for a 90-minute mid-week clinic. More than 60 girls and boys showed up after school at the Federation’s practice facility in Nassau.
The Trojans are focused on competing in this weekend’s White Sands Bahamas NCAA Invitational, but second-year head coach Forrest Schultz saw an opportunity he couldn’t pass up.
“It was great to see the joy on their faces. Golf is bigger than this tournament, and we are glad we got to work with everyone here,” said Schultz, whose team offered instruction and encouragement in driving, chipping, and putting, and passed out school T-shirts to everyone.
“My focus right now is golf,” said Underwood, a natural athlete who only started playing to fill the down time after she developed painful shin splints that needed time away from running to heal. My coach is begging me to come back to soccer. And at some point, I will have to choose. Golf is growing on me. I’m now asking my dad to go play golf instead of the other way around.”
Pratt worked briefly with long-hitting junior Jason Quinlan and Schultz and before long was popping a few drives 200 yards in the air. “I need a witness!” Pratt exclaimed after hitting the best drive of her life. “Where’s my dad?”
The Federation is already a success, according to Gina Gonzalez-Rolle, who chairs the Junior Division. “They are starting to see golf for all that it has to offer, from scholarships to life skills. We cater to the whole child,” said Gonzalez-Rolle. “The fact that this college team would come here is important. Our children can now see themselves in their shoes.” And if Gonzalez-Rolle gets her wish, the clinic will become an annual event for the White Sands Bahamas NCAA Golf Invitational.
In addition to Troy, the other men’s teams competing are Arkansas State, Delaware, Duke, LA Monroe, Nebraska, Sam Houston State, Southern Miss, Stetson, Texas State, VCU and UTEP.
For more coverage of the 2022 White Sands Bahamas NCAA Invitational, visit whitesandsbahamas.com., follow @WhiteSandsBah on social media and use the following hashtags: #WhiteSandsBahamas and #WhiteSandsNCAA.
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ABOUT THE BAHAMAS
With over 700 islands and cays and 16 unique island destinations, The Bahamas lies just 50 miles off the coast of Florida, offering an easy fly-away escape that transports travelers away from their everyday. The Islands of The Bahamas have world-class fishing, diving, boating, and thousands of miles of the earth’s most spectacular water and beaches waiting for families, couples, and adventurers. Explore all the islands have to offer at www.bahamas.com or on Facebook, YouTube, or Instagram to see why “It’s Better in The Bahamas.”
ABOUT OCEAN CLUB GOLF COURSE
Atlantis Paradise Island’s Ocean Club Golf Course offers a challenging and beautiful course for golfers desiring championship play. Masterfully conceived, the Tom Weiskopf-designed 18-hole, par 72 championship course stretches over 7,100 yards on Atlantis’ peninsula. The course has hosted iconic sporting events such as the Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational (MJCI), the Michael Douglas & Friends Celebrity Golf Tournament, and the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic. For more information about Atlantis Paradise Island resort and the Ocean Club please visit www.atlantisbahamas.com.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For White Sands Bahamas NCAA Invitational
Contact: Mike Harmon
[email protected]
BAHAMAS MINISTRY OF TOURISM, INVESTMENTS & AVIATION CONTACT:
Anita Johnson-Patty
AJohnson@white-sands-bahamas
ATLANTIS CONTACT:
Katie Longley
Atlantis Paradise Island
242-376-1034
