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Carambola GC Donates Clubs to Teens on the Green Program Contact Renny Roker (March 20, 2003) - The week of Thanksgiving in 2002 was memorable for a Virgin Island youth golfer and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The first annual Teens on the Green (TOG) International tournament was held at Carambola Golf Club and the winner of that tournament was an exceptional golfer from St. Thomas, John Streibich. On March 18, 2003, the sponsors of that event made it possible for other youth golfers to step into the winners circle. Seventeen (17) sets of golf clubs were donated to youth the TOG golfing program at the Carambola Golf Club for inner-city youths. Presentations were made by Pamela Richards, Commissioner of Tourism and Cosmo Williams, Managing Partner at Carambola Golf Club on behalf of the local sponsor participants. TOG youth from 43 U.S. cities and 12 different countries qualified to participate from their performance in six (6) qualifying tournaments held earlier in the year. The winners in five different age groups to include both boys and girls, ages 12-17 from each tournament (25 totals) became eligible to compete from the international event to be held annually in St. Croix. The event was shown in 100 million households on The Golf Channel, BET and Telemundo. Copies of the broadcasts were also made available to participants from other countries for showings to their local markets. Although the TOG program is only three (3) years old, it is the fastest growing, the most recognized and the only nationally televised youth golfing event for inner city youths in the world. Renny Roker, CEO and Founder says, "Now the kids that were on the outside looking in, are competing with the best youth golfers in the world, and being ranked for amateur status. This is the key ingredient for making them visible and qualifying them for college scholarships. To date, every TOG golfer that has graduated from high school has received a golf scholarship. The key to the program is ensuring that these kids have the access to upscale golf courses, professional training and the proper equipment. TOG has made this happen". TOG has their own brand of golf clubs manufactured by Razor Golf to ensure that each TOG participant has the quality of equipment for maximum success. Two sets were presented to two Virgin Island youth; Jamal Shillingford and Britta Hurtault; both have already qualified to be a part of the local "Teens on the Green' program. The other sets were made available through our local sponsor participation to local youth who are interested in the summer golf program at Carambola Golf Club. Local sponsors include: ICC, International Asset Management, Alliance Management, Budget Rental, Farchette & Hanley, James River Co., Lewis and Karen Lester, Divi Carina Bay Casino, Carambola Beach Resort, McDonald's, Merrill Lynch, Northshore Partners, Beeston Hill Rehabilitation, Kapok Management, Caribbean Health & Fitness Club, The Best Connection and the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism. Pam Richards, Commissioner of Tourism says, "The event was a success and the exposure for both our youth and U.S. Virgin Islands was enormous. I was impressed at the skill, the discipline and the maturity of the youth participants. I also like that the emphasis is not only on developing their golf skills but most importantly emphasizing scholarship. There is no excuse now for any Virgin Island youth that wants to play golf to not do itÖ They have use of one of the best golf courses in the Caribbean with professional leadership and the right equipment made available to them. I know that there is another Virgin Island youth golfer that will keep John Streibich's TOG Championship title in the USVI for the 2003 event". Any one interested in participating in the summer youth golf program contact Renny Roker 954-499-9022. |