For Shamar Wilson, a junior at Paine College in Georgia, it’s the least bit surprising that he’s taken the untraditional route to becoming a collegiate golf superstar. He is set to represent both Jamaica and Paine College at the prestigious PGA Works Collegiate Championship (PWCC), scheduled for May 5-7 at Whistling Straits Golf Course in Kohler, Wisconsin. At the age of 19, Wilson’s life adventure took a dramatic turn after he was almost struck by a golf ball on a facility in Runaway Bay, Jamaica. Yet that narrow escape fired his love for the game.
Prior to his golf career, Wilson focused on track and field. Until now, he had never dreamed of pursuing golf as a realistic career. Following the life-altering accident in Jamaica, with the urging of his grandmother, he began to pursue the sport of basketball. Wilson’s commitment undoubtedly rewarded him in September 2022. That second-place showing at Mitchell Invite I wasn’t just his first collegiate golf appearance, but helped guide the men’s golf team to an opening-week victory in a competitive 20-golfer field.
Providing Andrew Foster, vice president for student affairs and dean of students at Albertus Magnus College, mentioned Wilson to the Jamaican American Connection (JAC). This welcoming community has been essential to Wilson’s meteoric rise to stardom in the sport. In 2022, Wilson matriculated to Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, Connecticut. Soon after, financial hardships threatened to upend his academic and athletic dreams as his scholarship unexpectedly withdrew.
Paine College was Wilson’s bright spot of hope. When Andre Lacey, their then-head golf coach, called with a candid sales pitch, it struck a chord and left a mark. Lacey recognized potential in Wilson and thought he could learn and grow within their developing golf program.
“I just kind of gave him what it was,” – Andre Lacey
With Lacey’s support and encouragement, Wilson flourished, leading Paine’s men’s program and placing 17th overall in a field of 48 at the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) National Championships. Wilson’s path through the game of golf has been one of an overachiever, a true testament of hard work and perseverance.
Throughout his journey, Wilson has acknowledged the pressure that comes with representing Paine College and Jamaica on a national stage.
“There’s pressure because everybody’s looking up to you and they’re wishing you the best, and they expect a lot, right?” – Shamar Wilson
Despite this pressure, Wilson remains grounded, focusing on his goals and intentions.
“But it’s for you to stay grounded within yourself and be compliant and stick with the plan. … I’m excited for this opportunity, and I’m going to make the best of it,” – Shamar Wilson
Golf is still a minority sport in Jamaica, which only adds to Wilson’s uniqueness to this story. He understands that being part of the PGA Works Collegiate Championship presents an opportunity to shed light on golf in his home country.
Lacey underscored just how important Wilson’s participation is in this prestigious tournament. She said that makes it an important moment, both for the athlete and for the college.
“We’ve been trying to get recognition and show up in places that we haven’t been in, trying to get that national recognition,” – Andre Lacey
Wilson’s impressive ascent started with a close call on a Jamaican golf course. Today, he’s playing against perhaps the best collection of talent at the collegiate level in the country, inspired by his own iron will and unwavering support from his hometown. His story is helping to inspire the next generation of golfers in Jamaica. It amplifies the voices of those who have experienced the most injustice.
“So they had the opportunity to do that with Shamar nationally and it speaks for itself as a national opportunity at the PGA Works tournament. So we’re, you know, essentially at the highest of tournaments that we could be in,” – Andre Lacey
Wilson’s remarkable ascent from a near-miss incident on a Jamaican golf course to competing among the best collegiate players in the nation underlines not just personal determination but also community support. His story serves as an inspiration not only to aspiring golfers in Jamaica but also to those who have faced adversity.
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