MONTEGO BAY, St James — Based on the response of the crowd of golf enthusiasts who attended the OCEAN Style ‘Let it Rip’ Clinic and Exhibition with Maurice Allen, it was clear that the event was a rare and appreciated treat.

With over 120 guests at the Constant Spring Golf Club leg last Friday evening and another 40 at the Cinnamon Hill leg of the kick-off to the OCEAN Style Celebrity Golf Weekend last Saturday morning, one can easily deduce that the clinic was a smashing success.

Onlookers were immediately engaged from the moment Friday’s event teed off with two putting competitions — one for juniors and another for seniors.

Tiana Cruz stroked her way to victory in the juniors category, while Mike Bradford was the winner in the open category. The competition segued into the clinic and with a few tips and some stroke correction from the Long Drive Champion Allen, the improvement thereafter in each participant’s driving game was evident.

However, even the tips were not sufficient to help Wayne Sutherland and assistant teaching pro Fabian Cummings as they challenged Allen’s speed and power. The evening’s exhibition ended on a spectacular note with demonstration of Allen’s prowess and agility when he drove a golf ball into a watermelon.

Assistant golfing pro at Swing Solution Camp, Cummings, was happy that his junior team came out in their numbers.

“It’s a big thing to see someone consistently drive the ball 370 yards and it was entertaining for the golfers and the non-golfers,” said Cummings.

The golfing instructor was grateful for the tips from Allen. “If I apply the tips he has given me my drive will easily increase by 20 to 30 yards,” Cummings added.

This year the OCEAN Style Golf Weekend will be open to junior competitors.

Golfing aficionado Gregory Mayne was also impressed by the skills of Allen. “I was quite impressed, not just with his ability to hit, but his ability to share his knowledge, expertise and the level of dedication it takes to be able to understand the golf swing and how you can maximize that power,” he noted.

At the event’s close, golfer Carlysle Hudson shared his impressions of the Guinness World Record holder saying he is “dynamic” and has “flair” for someone who has only been playing for four years.

Other recognisable faces in sport at the Constant Spring Golf Club were former West Indies cricketer Jeffrey Dujon, top female golfer Jodi Munn Barrow and former English Premier League player and avid golfer Lindey Delapenha.

Past celebrities of the OCEAN Style Celebrity Golf Weekend have been former boxer Lennox Lewis, athlete Donovan Bailey, footballers Shaka Hislop and Andy Cole, cricket’s Courtney Walsh, and actors Anthony Anderson and Rockmond Dunbar.

The OCEAN Style Celebrity Golf Weekend will take place in Montego Bay at the White Witch Golf Course on October 24 and at the Cinnamon Hill Golf Course on October 25.

Among the prizes this year are US$1 million Hole in One contest and private jet membership with JetSmarter.com.