The Jamaica Open, sponsored by Half Moon and the Tourism Enhancement Fund, continues its rich tradition from January 11 through 14, 2017.

This prestigious international golf tournament is set to take place at the world-famous Half Moon Golf Course, Montego Bay.

The event has long been popular with players, some journeying from as far away as Italy and Israel. This year’s renewal is expected to be no different, with veterans and newcomers from the USPGA, as well as other professional and amateur circuits set to confirm.

The Jamaica Open, which began in 1953 at the Constant Spring Golf Club, lured such contemporary golfing greats as Roberto de Vicenzo, Jim Ferree, Bob Toski, Barry Lane, Lee Elder, Bruce Fleisher and Jim Thorpe and spawned local Jamaica Open Champions and ‘legends’ such as Jasper Markland and Seymour Rose.

After a 10-year hiatus, the Jamaica Open Golf Championship made a welcome return in 2006 at the Caymanas Golf & Country Club, Kingston. Jamaican Johnny Bloomfield captured the coveted trophy and thereafter, won three consecutive Jamaica Open titles. This premier golf tournament, which was played at the Half Moon, Montego Bay, in 1990 and 1991, returned to that course in 2008 and has remained a fixture.

The Open has experienced renewed growth since its rebirth, both in terms of sponsorship and the calibre of players who are attracted to the event. Senior PGA Major winners Russ Cochran (Senior British Open Champion 2011) and Olin Browne (Senior US Open Champion 2011) both competed in the last two events along with many other PGA Champion Tour Players. The event has also attracted competitors from PGA Tour Players such as Charlie Wi and former world number one Lee Westwood. The 2017 event is already showing interest from former Ryder Cup stars along with golf professionals from Latin, North and South America, the Caribbean and Europe.

In 2012, the Jamaica Open was accorded recognition by the Jamaican government and was an official event on the calendar of Jamaica 50 celebratory activities. That year, a golf clinic was conducted by winner Russ Cochran, the 2012 winner, along with Olin Browne, with contributions from Champions Tour players such as Jim Thorpe and Dick Mast. Students from the In-the-City and National Junior Golf Programmes benefited from this session.

Returning from another short hiatus, the organisers anticipate yet another successful renewal, and regard the Jamaica Open as destined to reclaim its role as a golf event of undisputed international fame and a premium Jamaican attraction, for both the sports-minded and the general visitor.