Virgin-Islands-On-Line's Coconut Telegraph

Representatives of the Caribbean region made quite a showing in the competition last year. John Streibich, a native of St. Thomas, captured the Teens on the Green (TOG) 2002 world championship title, earning him a ranking as one of the top 50 youth golfers in the United States. Prior to this win, he had never before been ranked. Since then, John has matriculated at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio and was named the Atlantic Conference "Rookie of the Week" along with other freshmen for his performance in the season opener at the Mid-Pines Intercollegiate Golf Tournament. John led his team in the tournament and has set a new school record for scoring.

Other Caribbean youth also were thrust into the spotlight during last year's tournament finale on St. Croix. Kamisha Anthony from Antigua ushered in a stellar performance on St. Croix, which earned her a full scholarship to Bethune Cookman College, where she starts in January 2004. Kamisha continues to excel in both the classroom and on the golf course. She recently won the St. Thomas Open in the women's division in a sudden death playoff. Kamisha is considered one of the best women golfers in the Caribbean at 17 years old.

"The U.S. Virgin Islands is proud to be an official sponsor of Teens on the Green program and the host destination of the final tournament series," Commissioner of Tourism Pamela C. Richards said. "We are always looking for ways to encourage our youth to excel, and it is a privilege to contribute to their achievements both on and off the golf course. We are delighted to have them here in the U.S. Virgin Islands to play on our beautiful greens."

Junior golfers ages 13-18 will tee off on 54 holes, while younger golfers, ages 12 and under, will play on 36 holes. The final championship series on St. Croix will be televised internationally, as well as on national cable networks and locally throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. A new addition to this year's tournament festivities will be the inaugural Parade of Flags. Each participating youth golfer will display his respective country's flag in a display of pride and patriotism. This will be a beautiful exhibition of diversity and cultural heritage.

Teens on the Green takes pride in promoting academic achievement and excellence in the game of golf. TOG is the first "ranked" televised junior golf event and series in the history of the sport. These official ranking points are essential for junior golfers to attract the attention of collegiate golf coaches. The seven-tournament TOG series is ranked by the "Junior Golf Scoreboard," NMJGSF "Golf Week," and Titleist and sanctioned by the Amateur Athletic Union.

The Teens on the Green World Championship Final Series provides a unique opportunity for young minority golfers ages 10 to 17 (up to a senior in high school) to receive quality lessons and playing time at upscale resorts and golf courses. Participating junior players are among the best in the world representing the most gifted golfers from the Caribbean, the U.S., Latin America, Japan, Korea, Europe, Africa, Australia and other parts of the world. To qualify for the program, each member must have a handicap of 12 or lower and a C+ or better academic average. Teens on the Green is securing sponsors for youngsters throughout the Caribbean to attend major U.S. colleges with scholarships worth up to $50,000 per year for four years.

For more information about Teens on the Green, call (954) 499-9022, or go online to www.teensonthegreen.com. For additional information about St. Croix, St. John and St Thomas, call (800) 372-USVI (8784), visit www.usvitourism.vi or contact the nearest USVI Department of Tourism regional office in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Washington, D.C. or Toronto.