Golfing in Guyana must be expanded

Dear Editor,
I know that golfing is not the most popular of sports in Guyana. Very few, the elites really, play this game.
However, the cadre of golfers in Guyana are all up to it – they can really play. Also, for a country with just a single golf course, the game is still faring well. So I urge supporters to ‘keep at it.’ In this regard, newly elected president of the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC), Jerome Khan, has made good on a promise when he was elected to the presidency. The president has donated his promised tractor to the club. I remember the club did have a tractor, but that was vandalised via an arsonist, who maybe was responsible, for the damaging of the greens, at the said time. So I commend Khan for his zeal and generosity.
When the election was held and Jerome Khan acceded to the presidency, he made a very important comment. The good lawyer exposed the folly of the club, and this is kind of coincidental. It is not the club, but the access road that is the problem. This road, Editor, is just a mere concrete covering.
It is filled with gaping holes and its sides are continually eroding. Many times ‘quick fixes’ have been tried, but to no avail. This stretch of shamble must be done over completely and in the approved manner. I hope this will be soon. So it is not the club, but the road, and this should not be tolerated.
My second contention is two-fold. Golfing is just too elitist a sport, to spread in a natural way. I mean no one can go and play golf in the school yard or bottom house. The equipment and other amenities are quite expensive. Now, even if these are obtained, where can someone go and play? So Guyana needs at least one golf course in each county.
I add here too, that at least where Lusignan is concerned, there is need to encourage village talent. Most of Guyana’s top golfers are ‘knock around boys,’ who somehow manage to eke out a living. When they get the chance to participate, they dominate. I remember an erstwhile captain of the club, for a strange reason, blocking one such local talent.
Thank heavens! This young man won the open at least once, and is faring well in Trinidad. If I can spur some sponsors, then it would be great.
The game in Lusignan can be extended to accommodate these village lads. I am also hoping that the National Sports Commission will be moved to make a contribution.
I am not a cricketer, footballer nor swimmer, but why should I be left out?
Yours truly,
Karamchand Baiju