Jamaica Golf Association (JGA) junior champion Sebert Walker Jr has hailed the upcoming Jamaica Classic, the first officially PGA-sanctioned tour event in the country’s history, as a huge step in the right direction for local golf.

The five-day competition, presented by regional broadcast giant SportsMax and the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), has been added as a part of the PGA Tour Latinoamérica schedule and will feature some of the region’s top competitors. It is scheduled to tee off on June 12 at the Cinnamon Hill Golf Course in Montego Bay.

By virtue of claiming the Under-17 title at the recently held National Junior Trials held at the Caymans Golf and Country Club last week, the talented young Walker will number among 144 players from more than 20 countries expected to take part in the event.

Even before a ball is smacked across the rolling greens, however, the player is confident the hosting of the tournament is already set to impact the sport, as a new generation of regional golfers take aim at reaching top-level competition.

“It’s definitely good for local golf, you would hear about all these big tournaments down by Tryall, with all these big players and you can’t help but be inspired,’” Walker, the son of Cinnamon Hill golf professional, Sebert Walker Sr told

SportsMax.

“Every day average practise isn’t always going to help, you have to have something to push yourself, to aspire towards a higher standard. And the more of that type of motivation is available, is the better it is for you as a young player,” he added.

Despite the tournament still being two months away, the 15-year-old Walker, fresh off claiming his first national junior champions title, is ready and eager to lock horns with the more seasoned regional professionals, and he’s also confident of making his mark.

“I’ll be playing against a lot of players with a lot more experience than me, but I will definitely be looking forward to it,” Walker said.

“My confidence is high. I’ll definitely be a little nervous, but I know I’m hitting the ball as well as any of them so I’m really looking forward to seeing what I can do.”

In claiming the national title in a closely contested affair last week, Walker, who shot 78, 75 and 77, finished at 230, one stroke ahead of rival Justin Burrowes, who finished with 78, 77 and 76.