Local and international golf pros will return to the world famous Half Moon Golf Course in Montego Bay from January 11 to 14 for a shot at US$100,000, at the 50th staging of the prestigious Jamaica Open Tournament.

Local gaming giant Supreme Ventures Limited (SVL) has come on board as a major sponsor to the tune of $1.5 million.

The Jamaica Golf Association-organised event, which began in 1953, has become the longest-running and most prestigious Caribbean Open tournament.

Through lack of sponsorship and an uncertain economic climate, the championship took a 10-year hiatus in 1995. In 2006, the Jamaica Open Golf Championship made a grand return to the Caymanas Golf and Country Club with Jamaican Johnny Bloomfield capturing the coveted trophy.

Bloomfield, who won three consecutive Jamaica Open titles thereafter, will return this year with his sights set on capturing the coveted title for the fourth time.

“SVL is the largest supporter of the genius of Jamaica, contributing billions of dollars toward the development of education, health, sport, culture and art, the latter three being domains in which we are particularly dominant and globally renown. SVL is committed to the development of golf in Jamaica ,given its strategic importance as an economic multiplier and ability to transform lives, a role we undertake in every aspect of our business,” said Jason Hall, SVL’s vice-president of marketing, during his address at the tournament launch last Thursday.