On Saturday morning at the renowned Ocean Club Golf Course on Paradise Island, young participants of the Governor General’s Youth Award (GGYA) stepped off their usual trails and onto the fairway — exchanging hiking boots for golf shoes as they explored a new frontier of personal development. The Duke of Edinburgh Cup Golf Tournament Participant Clinic, held from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., offered GGYA students and their leaders a hands-on introduction to the sport of golf and, more importantly, to the professional world it unlocks.
The clinic brought together students, award leaders, and industry professionals in an immersive
morning of instruction, inspiration, and networking. Joining the GGYA youth were participants
from The Bahamas All Stars Band and their leaders — creating an energy-filled environment
where friendships were forged and connections were made across different youth groups.
The Duke of Edinburgh Cup Golf Tournament — organized in partnership between the GGYA and
Atlantis — is the single largest corporate sponsorship the organisation receives on an annual basis.
Now in at least its 24th year, the tournament has grown to incorporate young people more deeply
into the appreciation of golf and the professional world surrounding it.
A Morning on the Fairway — and in the Boardroom
The event was officially opened with a welcome address by Robby Lemming, General Manager
of the Ocean Club, who encouraged young participants to see golf not merely as a recreational
pursuit, but as a powerful vehicle for networking and relationship-building in the professional
world. His remarks set the tone for a morning that blended athletic instruction with career and life
insight.
Serving as moderator was John C. Fowler, Tournament Organizer, who guided participants
through a dynamic programme that included a panel discussion and live golf instruction.
Panel Discussion: Golf, Business, and the Doors It Opens A featured panel of accomplished professionals shared candid perspectives on how golf has shaped their careers and opened unexpected doors. Panelists included:
● Dennis Lockhart — Brand Ambassador and Mr. Atlantis (Kool-Aid), who spoke to the power of personal branding and the role golf plays in business relationships;
● Lloyd Jones — Operations Manager of the Ocean Club Golf Course, who offered an insider’s perspective on golf course management, career pathways in the hospitality industry, and the importance of introducing Bahamian youth to the game;
● Deno Moss — Investment Advisor, Portfolio Manager, and Director at ScotiaWealth, who connected the discipline of golf to financial literacy, long-term investment thinking, and the value of professional networking in wealth-building.
Together, the panelists painted a compelling picture: golf is not simply a sport — it is a language
spoken in boardrooms, on business retreats, and at the highest levels of professional life. The
message resonated clearly with the young people in attendance, many of whom were picking up a
golf club for the very first time.
