Jina Scheper has recently taken over as CEO at Barbados Golf Club and is looking forward to the challenge! She shares some of her plans with SB!
Tell us a bit about your background?
I am Canadian in origin and have lived in Barbados for the past 17 years having lived in St. Lucia before. My professional background is in resort and facility management having managed properties such as Sugar Hill on the west coast.
What excited you about working for Barbados Golf Club?
Golf! The club has so much potential as does golf in Barbados. I wanted to be part of that drive to improve our facility and grow the game on the island.
Tell us about the course and how it fits into the Barbados Golfing picture?
The whole rational for the Golf Club was to provide golf for all Barbadians and also to create a high yield tourism product for the 2000+ rooms on the south coast. The club has evolved and is the heart of golf in Barbados. There is hardly a sportsman in this island who has not swung a club on our course.
Are there any packages to play if you are a long term visitor or local enthusiast?
We offer membership packages that cater to the individual. For our snow birds there are 3 and 6 month memberships
as well as playing cards available. We have beginner’s packages for the up and coming golfer, who may not be prepared to commit to the game yet, and may need some lessons, and a comfortable introduction. For the golfer with confidence we offer an array of memberships as well as pay and play options that can suit any budget.
Does the club have regular competitions and a social side?
The club holds tournaments on the 2nd Saturday of the month called our Monthly Medal. We recently hosted the BGA Open, with players from the US, Australia and across the region. Our Director of Tournaments has already planned some fun events for the season with some fun tournaments planned and some more competitive competitions for the golfer who loves a challenge.
On the social scene Saturdays are our main member days and the club is always buzzing with activity. Mulligans hosts BBQs every Saturday attracting crowds of golfers and anyone looking for a great time in a laid back atmosphere
What’s your favourite hole on the course and why?
Hands down I love 16! This is a par 3 hole set over the lake and as much as it is short often time’s a silly swing will land you in water. When the wind is right I will use my 3 wood and hit straight across on to the green close to the pin. Unfortunately that is a rarity and I more often just lose a ball, or two or three. It is a gorgeous setting and a fun challenge.
Any future plans or major changes for the BGC?
We recently upgraded our fleet of carts and have plans on adding much needed maintenance equipment as well. On the course we will be improving a few tee boxes as well, working to grow an excellent chipping green, so players can take advantage of a putting and chipping green, and cutting back foliage and trees that create blind spots. Plans are in the making to upgrade the driving range with new mats and nets so golfers can practise in comfort. Our long term goal is to commence work on upgrading some of the fairways and cart paths. On a golf course every day is a push to improve.
