The principals of the second Alliance Buccaneer Memorial Golf Tournament stand together at yesterday's media launch at the LIME National Golf Academy in New Kingston. They are (from left) Wayne Chai Chong, president of the Jamaica Golf Association, Sister Bennedict, Laws Street Trade Training Centre, Peter Chin, Alliance Investment Management, David Mais, tournament director, and Mark Chin, Buccaneers president. - Contributed

Organisers of this year's first renewal of the Alliance Investment Buccaneers Memorial Golf Tournament are promising an exciting and competitive event.

The championship takes place this weekend at the Caymanas Golf Club in St Catherine with action on Saturday and Sunday.

"We are expecting an exciting tournament because this is one the best fields for the year and all our national junior and senior players will be playing," said Peter Chin, president of Alliance Investment, the main sponsors.

He made the disclosure at the tournament's press launch yesterday, which was held at the LIME National Golf Academy in New Kingston.

"The fans will also get a chance to see our upcoming youngsters and there will be a lot of other skilful players on the golf course," Chin said.

Committed to development

Chin added that his company is very committed to helping with the development of the sport in Jamaica.

"Last year it was very successful and if it is successful then we want to associate with it and the proceeds will be going to the Laws Street Trade Training Centre," Chin noted.

Wayne Chai Chong, president of the Jamaica Golf Association (JGA), said the championship gives them a chance to help to develop young players for the national teams.

"Development tournaments like this is what we need, because 36 holes is where we get our national players to come out and participate," admitted Chai Chong.

"The partnerships that we have with the Buccaneers is that they also ensure that some funds go back into the association that will help with our development programmes and also to send our national teams abroad," said Chai Chong.

The tournament features two different competitions running concurrently. One will be a two-day 36-hole JGA qualifier while the other, to be played on Sunday, will be a modified Stableford competition, which will actually be a fund-raiser for the Laws Street Trade Training Centre.

Last year the tournament raised over $500,000 for the Centre.

Entry fee for the two days is $6,000 and $3,000 for the Memorial, which will be played on Sunday.

The formats of play for both days are: Medal Play HCP in the age groups 10-12, 13-24, 25-36, Men, Seniors, Super Seniors and Ladies; and Modified Stableford HCP in the categories 13-24, Men, Seniors, Super Seniors and Ladies. On Sunday, it will be the Modified Stableford HCP in the categories 10-12, 13-24, 25-36, Men and Ladies.

Last year's champion, Fabian Campbell will be aiming to defend his title against 130 other competitors. They include Xavier Brown, John Smith, Jonathan Newnham, Paul Thompson and Radcliff Knibbs.

Meanwhile, Jodi Barrow, Maggie Lyn and Leiza Blakeley are the main contenders for the female crown.