At the Caribbean Golf Association (CGA)’s annual general meeting held last week in the Dominican Republic — convened in parallel with the 30th edition of the Caribbean Golf Classic — regional golf officials made a landmark decision to welcome two new national governing bodies into full membership. Alongside Bermuda, the Saint Lucia Golf Association (SLGA) secured the vote of approval from CGA delegates, marking a historic milestone for golf development in the Eastern Caribbean.
Following the admission of the two new members, the CGA’s total full membership count now stands at 12. While Guadeloupe and the United States Virgin Islands hold affiliate status within the regional organization, Saint Lucia’s entry makes it the first full member from the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) to join the CGA’s ranks.
The SLGA’s path to full membership began with a formal application submitted to the CGA leadership months prior to the AGM. During the meeting, SLGA representatives laid out their strategic vision for growing the sport locally, outlined their motivation for joining the regional body, and detailed the unique value their membership would bring to the wider Caribbean golf community. After the presentation, member delegates cast a unanimous vote to approve the SLGA’s application.
In an interview following the historic vote, SLGA President Mario Reyes shared his organization’s excitement for the new chapter. “Our top priority continues to be expanding access to golf and raising the profile of the sport across Saint Lucia,” Reyes explained. “Joining the CGA as full members opens up entirely new competitive landscapes for our golfers at every skill level. This partnership will foster deeper camaraderie across regional players, strengthen cross-border friendships, lift the overall quality of play in our country, and most importantly, create clear pathways for our young emerging golfers to access opportunities that were simply out of reach before.”
For the local Saint Lucia golf community, the benefits of CGA membership extend far beyond competitive access. The agreement will see the popular annual Saint Lucia Golf Open added to the official CGA regional tournament calendar, bringing increased exposure and high-profile regional competition to the island’s courses. Local golfers will also now earn the right to compete officially across all CGA-run tournaments.
Founded in 1987, the CGA has long served as the leading governing body for golf across the Caribbean region. The organization hosts five annual championship events spread across different Caribbean nations, creating structured competitive opportunities for junior, amateur, and senior golfers alike while working systematically to drive sustainable growth of the sport across the region.
CGA President Sidney Wolf emphasized that the addition of Saint Lucia and Bermuda reinforces the steady progress of golf across the entire Caribbean. “Both new members have demonstrated clear strategic vision, unwavering passion for the game, and a deep commitment to grassroots development that aligns perfectly with the CGA’s core mission,” Wolf noted. “We are incredibly eager to see their active participation and their unique contributions as we work together to lift Caribbean golf to new heights on the global stage.”