The final member of Bermuda’s Junior Pan American Games team begins his campaign in Paraguay today.

Teenage golfer Oliver Betschart will take on the best young players in the region over three rounds at Asunción Golf Club, with the tournament starting tomorrow morning.

Betschart is out in the opening group at 12.15pm Bermuda time and he is relishing the opportunity of representing the island on the international stage.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” Betschart said.

“This is the first time I’ve been to these Games and golf is one of the new sports here, so it is a really big honour to represent Bermuda on the international stage.

“It feels different as golf is normally an individual event but I’m really excited to be part of the Junior Pan Am Games team. I’ve had a couple of free days to cheer on the rest of the team and that was really fun.

“I am in the right place to perform at the elite level and hopefully I’m able to bring home a podium finish.”

Betschart is no stranger to South America and he feels that will be an advantage as he prepares to play for the first time in Paraguay.

“This is my fourth time in South America this year,” the 17-year-old said. “I played in Argentina at the Latin America Amateur Championships and that helped me prepare for the environment I was in, which is an advantage.

“All courses are different but I had mentors who have connections in Paraguay at this course, so we scouted what to expect.

“The greens are quite small and the fairways are narrow so leading up to the event I have been working on those aspects of the game, picturing the smaller greens and tightening up off the tee to be able to hit the fairways.”

Betschart has had the experience of a couple of practice rounds at the course as he attempts to plot his way into contention at the tournament.

“The practice rounds have been crucial,” he said. “I’m using them to get a feel of the course and plan out strategies. It’s crucial to have a good outlook in the practice rounds and be able to see what is happening, different conditions and what the grass is like. It’s really important for us golfers.”

Betschart’s father, Marcus, will caddie for his son and the younger Betschart is thankful for the partnership, which has had plenty of success.

“My dad is going to be on the bag and our relationship is really strong,” he said.

“He has caddied for me many times before, including a couple of years ago when I qualified for the Butterfield Bermuda Championship. We work well together as a team and I wouldn’t want anyone else on the bag.”

The field for the event looks particularly strong but Betschart is not fazed by taking on some of the top amateur players in the world.

“I’ve looked over a couple of the participants and I played in an AJGA in Panama, which was won by one of my opponents,” he said.

“There are a couple of guys playing in college in the US, with a player who I’ve met from Guatemala ranked 49th in the World Amateur rankings. There is going to be some strong competition out there but golf is within yourself. I’ll just do my best and the outcome will take care of itself.”

Betschart is good at removing emotion from his golfing mission and is determined to give his best.

“I’m not looking too far ahead and making sure I’m staying present as every shot, every hole, every round I’m able to reset after good or bad,” he said.

“Relieving my emotional attachment from my outcomes is one of my strengths and is something that has helped me achieve what I have so far.

“This is my next event, all my focus is here and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”