Developing the Sport of Golf in Belize
The Latin America and Caribbean Director of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club (R&A), Mark Lawrie, is in Belize on a working visit. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club is the highest golf authority in the world, except the United States and Mexico. In Belize, the sport of golf is governed by Belize Golf Federation (B.G.F.) an affiliate of R&A. At the moment, there is only one official golf course in the country, the Roaring River Golf Course. Lawrie is in Belize to meet with Saul Barrera, the President of B.G.F. to discuss the development of the sport in country, including the construction of a national golf course. Lawrie stopped by our studio this evening to speak with us about his visit.
Mark Lawrie
Mark Lawrie, Latin America & Caribbean Director, R&A Golf Club
“We know that they are keen and devoted to try and grow the game. Obviously climate is a bonus. It is a nice place to play golf. I can feel that already because you have nice warm weather and safer hurricane season. You should be ok for developing golf over the years. Basically what we are here is talking about that. We are going to map out how the development of golf in Belize can happen. We are aware that this isn’t a huge population nor is it a huge country, but every country counts and every soldier that joins golf also counts. And I think there is a good chance that we can develop golf a little further than it is at the moment. Obviously that will take some work, create more facilities, especially and hopefully a public one in Belize, which allows people to come and get exposed to the game and learn and know about the game.”
Paul Lopez
“There tends to be this mindset surrounding the sport of golf that it is an elitist activity per say.”
Mark Lawrie
“I’d say it has changed big time. To label golf as elitist today would be a very unfair statement. There are many countries where golf has crossed all sorts of barriers, brining in people from all walks of life, no less women who is very dear to our ideas and objectives.”
