In Cayman Islands golf, two of the biggest names are Samantha Widmer and her brother Jonathon Widmer. Both have varying plans for the New Year.
Samantha, 24, has her sights set on representing Cayman at international competitions. One of her long-terms goals is to qualify for the next Olympics.
“In the New Year I will focus on qualifying once again for the Caribbean Amateur Golf Championship in August and continuing to promote golf on the Island,” Samantha said. “I would like to see a stronger ladies team develop over the next year with more tournament experience and assistance from visiting pros.
“I really enjoy helping others out on the golf course and giving my team-mates confidence in their games. Also, I have a strong desire to compete in the 2016 Olympics in Brazil as well as the 2013 Island Games in Bermuda and will continue to raise the bar of golf in Cayman so we can send the strongest team possible.”
Johnny, 22, has another year of college to complete at the University of Colorado. The senior is pursuing a degree in Sociology and states playing golf at the National Collegiate Athletic Association division one level is a challenge.
“School was difficult this semester following a tough summer,” Johnny said. “Our golf team was excellent this last semester and I am sure that will continue through the New Year.
“(I’m hoping for) lots of work and hopefully continued growth as a player. I feel as if everyday is a new opportunity for me to learn more about myself as a player and a person.”
Johnny, who turns 23 in October, was recently here to spend the holidays. His last day is Friday, 6 January and he departs for the US this weekend. While here he caught the Audemars Piguet Invitational, a golf tournament organized by former European Tour pro Marcello Santi. The Italian put on the event for the second straight year at the Blue Tip golf course at the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman.
Samantha, who was a Miss Cayman contestant last year and turns 25 in February, states Johnny’s presence comes at a crucial time.
“After the loss of my mother [Sue Widmer] in June 2011, I feel it was a very special time for our family to spend together. There really is nothing better than spending the holidays with the ones you love and it brings back many happy memories with my mum. Also, I think it was also a time to celebrate our successes throughout the year and give thanks to our Dad for his support. I am also humbled to know that our family can stay as close as we are, even though we live in three different countries.”
Some 12 pros came down for the invitational including Peter Hanson (who won the competition), Kendall Ann Wright, Brian Davis, Thomas Levet, Richard Johnson, Alex Noren, Paige Mackenzie, Greg Owen and Cassandra Marie Blaney. All have starred on the European Tour and Professional Golfers’ Association Tour.
The competition, which was originally called the Friends Pro-Am, featured other activities such as a celebrity football match at Camana Bay with Italian greats Gianfranco Zola, Daniele Massaro and Pierluigi Casiraghi. The Italians were also featured at a youth football camp with Academy Sports Club at Outpost Field in George Town. North Sound Golf Club staged a junior golf clinic starring instructor Sean Hogan of the David Leadbetter Golf Academy.
Interestingly the Widmers, who have a younger brother named Jack, are concerned about golf’s place in Cayman long-term. Aside from the progress of junior players, they are worried about the future of the North Sound course. Mike Ryan, developer of The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman and the Dragon Bay project (which includes North Sound) stated last November he was not going to close the golf course immediately and was going to try his best to keep it open going forward.
“I feel as if Cayman has always been gifted with star talent,” Johnny said. “I just feel as if for that talent to grow into something special, it is vital that opportunity be given to those who would really like to make something of themselves. It is a real shame when people are limited because of opportunity.”
“I am worried about golf in the Cayman Islands for 2012,” Samantha said. “There is no real set plan for the golf course or whether there will be a full 18-hole golf course in Cayman. We have so much talent to foster in Cayman and a great junior golf programme and I hope that the government will continue to see the value in our programme.
“Also, having golf on Island encourages investment and tourists which is a huge benefit to our economy. I would like to see a bigger push towards keeping a public, affordable 18-hole golf course that provides facilities to juniors, tourists and residents of the island so we can keep the spirit of golf alive.”
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