The Saint Lucia Golf Association (SLGA) has announced that the next Saint Lucia Open will take place from April 30 to May 3, 2026, with expectations of a significantly larger turnout than this year’s event. The tournament was revived in 2025 after a nine-year break.
SLGA president Mario Reyes told St Lucia Times that while plans had been in motion since 2022, the event only came together in the last two months, thanks to the intervention of two key partners.
“We’ve been trying to build a new Saint Lucia Open, trying to make it happen for the last three years,” Reyes revealed. “We finally got on board the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority and the National Lotteries Authority, which helped the finances, supporting such a tournament. So when we finally got it done, and Jazz [& Arts Festival] was six weeks away, we put together the whole tournament … and had it spread out throughout the Caribbean.”
Initially, over 80 players from 16 territories registered. For 2026, Reyes aims to nearly double that number. Traditionally held the weekend after Easter, this year’s Open was strategically aligned with the festival, a model Reyes says will continue.
“Every year, it’s going to be the week before [the festival], which gives people the opportunity to book and plan to come to Saint Lucia,” he said.
“We had 75 or 76 players playing this year. But the intention is that we need to have about 144. We already have people confirming from Florida, Canada, Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, Jamaica. And while they are here, they are going to be staying for Jazz. So that’s great for Saint Lucia and great for sports.”
Reyes highlighted the rising competitive standard, noting that Daren Sammy, who only took up golf three years ago, placed second in the men’s division. The champion, Chris Richards Jr of Trinidad & Tobago, is a top-ranked Caribbean player, underscoring the event’s attraction.
The SLGA is also focusing on youth development, with several players emerging from the Grow Well junior programme, including top finishers like Britney Mangal and Keymanie Thomas. Secondary school students were also introduced to golf as part of the SLGA’s push to get more Saint Lucians on the greens.
(Photo by Terry Finisterre)
“The whole thrust of the SLGA right now is to grow the sport,” Reyes said.
Saint Lucia has proven it can produce world-class athletes like Julien Alfred and Sammy, he noted, and with the right opportunities, golf can do the same.
Proceeds from the Open will fund a nationwide coaching programme, already piloted at Corinth Secondary School, some of whose students spotted at this year’s tournament.
Professional coach Cherisia Irvine ran a two-day chip-and-putt clinic for 30 kids (ages 5-16) during the event, teaching fundamentals from the US Golf Association syllabus. The participants reportedly showed a great deal of enthusiasm and expressed their desire for similar activities in the future.
Perhaps in years to come, some of these young players will be lifting trophies at the Saint Lucia Open.
