WHILE the pandemic literally shut down sports worldwide, in Guyana the game of golf through the efforts of the Guyana Golf Association, Nexgen Golf Academy and Ministry of Education Allied Arts Unit took advantage of the conditions and soared to extraordinary heights in 2021.

In July 2020, president of GGA, Aleem Hussain, made a bold prediction that he would make golf the No.1 sport in Guyana in less than two year -, a sport that had less than 100 persons involved at the time. To many, it sounded like wishful thinking, in a country that is rooted in cricket and football.

However, in January 2021, the Ministry of Education Allied Arts Unit and Department of Secondary Schools, guided by PS Alfred King, Ms. Barker-King and Ms Gonsalves, partnered with the Guyana Golf Association and Nexgen Golf Academy to develop a syllabus for teaching golf to students as a PE sport elective in CXC/CAPE.

Now with strong partnerships, dedication and an unwavering sense of commitment, the incredible results are almost beyond belief. The Nexgen Golf Academy has trained 945 new players and 102 Physical Education teachers from six Regions (82 schools) around the country at the Woolford Avenue location.

With an average of 100 students per school now having access to the sport, along with students from private educational institutions – Nations, Camille’s and Texila American University – that means there are now over 10 000 potential players in the country.

William and Aleena Knight of the Shafura Hussain Foundation in New York; Danny Ramnarain; Anwar Buddy Shaffie; Sally Jack; Al Badrudin; Ray Ramroop; John Somwar and several overseas-based Guyanese golfers, along with the GuySuCo Corporation; Assuria General Insurance; Copa Airlines; Blue Life Waters; Trophy Stall; Ansa McAl; Toolsie Persaud Ltd; Kanuku Suites & Apartments; Kanuku Tours; Regus; Angel Seafood Restaurant & Bar; Sunshine Snacks; Ram & Mcrae; Panko Steel Construction; H. Nauth & Sons; AR Printery; Ramchand Auto; Bissessar Shipping Company are on board as well as TMK2020 Inc.; CS World Cargo & Logistics; Sterling Products; Caliper Drones; PasCargo; Nexgen Global Group; New Trend Auto; SUPERGRAPHICS; Tristone Investment and Auto Sales and Maraiko Bay Resorts.

On all fronts, the GGA and Nexgen Golf have raised the bar and expectations for sports organisations in Guyana by showcasing how fundraising can be done for Cancer Awareness, Orphanages, Student Groups, and other charitable activities.

“Our challenge is two-fold: access to land and funds to construct. Nexgen Global has funded all of the development so far with contributions of equipment and services from several supporters.

A modified golf facility costs G$12M-$15M to construct but will give thousands of players a chance to learn the sport. Imagine if there was full support behind the development, we would have been much further along.”

With construction underway for the Crane/Vreed-en-Hoop golf facility and Maraiko Bay Resorts 18-hole Championship Golf course, design plans for Ashmin’s Resort taking shape and government proposing to construct as many as three 18-hole courses, according to Minister of Sport, Charles Ramson, it does look like a Christmas wish will come true in 2022 and Guyana will be a Golf Nation.