BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – GOLF is rated as one of the biggest money-making sports and is highly recognised in many parts of the world. However, although there are many talented players in St. Kitts and Nevis whose names have been etched in Caribbean golf history, they rarely receive recognition in their homeland.
In an interview with SKNVibes, avid golfer Raymond Percival highlighted some of the local golf legends who rarely receive recognition for their talent and contributions to the game.
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| Raymond Percival |
“We have first Trevor Levine who was once the best golfer in my estimation in the Caribbean. We have Zeke Percival, Trevor ‘Rock’ Blake and we have Adrian Norford who is a very good player.
“There is Vernon Viera, Lee Bailey, Ricky Skerritt, Antonio Phillip, Aliba Huggins, Cedric Jeffers, OJ Maynard and Desimone Henry in the ladies.
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| Vernon Viera |
“We have a young player coming there Carrick Browne, Samuel Norford who is a good young player and Vince Morton who has been instrumental in golf in St. Kitts.”
From among the names mentioned by Percival, Trevor Levine stands out as the most recognised based on achievements.
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| Trevor Levine |
He had ruled the roost both locally and regionally for a number of years and had won every golf tournament throughout the Caribbean region, as well as being adjudged the 2005/06 OECS Sportsman of the Year.
Following on his heels is the interviewee, Raymond Percival, who is the current dominant force on the local scene.
Percival had in the past won both the St. Croix and St. Thomas Open Golf Tournaments and is the current St. Lucia, Antigua and St. Kitts Open Golf Champion, having won the local prestigious event on three occasions.
Percival’s brother, Zeke Percival, has also made a name for himself regionally. He, too, had in the past been crowned Champion of the St. Kitts Open Golf Tournament.
Another ‘big’ name on the local scene is Adrian Norford, who had won the St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. Lucia and the St. Kitts Open Golf Tournaments.
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| Adrian Norford |
Thee interviewee noted that golfers in the Federation do not get the recognition they deserve because the players are not in receipt of the required financial backing.
“They don’t get the financial support...that’s basically it. That kind of support is very important.”
When asked how he feels the government could help in promoting the sport, Percival said, “One thing I believe the government should do with golf in St. Kitts is to take it to the schools. It will be closer to the kids because it is difficult for some of them from St. Pauls and Saddlers to come all the way over here in Frigate Bay to the club. So if we can get some instructors to teach golf by visiting the schools in the east and in the west, we would be able to better promote the sport.”
He also elaborated on the state of the sport in the Federation.
“Golf is growing. We just have to change the mindsets of some who feel that it is just a sport for rich people. We have a junior programme where we have some young players coming through. We have been trying our best to get them focused firstly on School, but we are trying to get them into golf because golf is a game that has disciplines that can carry you through life.
Percival also throw out an invitation to youngsters who are interested in the game.
“To the youngsters, golf is a good sport. It has a lot of opportunities for you. You have to change your mindset of golf being a rich man’s sport and you should give it a try.
“Every Saturday we have at least seven instructors at the club just waiting to teach the game for free. The only country in the Caribbean that teaches the sport for free; everywhere else you have to pay a fee. So come on over and you will enjoy it.”
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