JGA names strong Caribbean Amateur Golf Championship squad
Published:Tuesday | July 6, 2021 | 12:11 AMLennox Aldred/Gleaner Writer -
The Jamaica Golf Association (JGA) has put together 12 of the country’s most talented golfers to vie for top honours at the 64th Caribbean Amateur Golf Championships (CAGC) which will be held in Puerto Rico from August 8 to 13.
National amateur champion Justin Burrowes will lead the men’s charge on Jamaica’s Hoerman Cup team, which also features last year’s National Champion William Knibbs, veterans Mark Newnham, and Owen Samuda along with first-time representative, 16-year-old Rocco Lopez.
The team also includes Shamar Wilson and reserve player Sebert Walker Jr. A youthful overseas-based female contingent will be representing the country this year, with many-time representative Kai Harris being joined by Emily Mayne, Hannah Foster and first-time representative Tiana Cruz.
Veteran player Jodi Munn-Barrow will make the trip as a reserve player.
With the Caribbean championships postponed last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Burrowes will be hoping that the squad can come up with the goods and better their third-place finish at the last championships in 2019.
“Having gone over the selections, I think it’s a great choice,” he said. “I think it represents Jamaica’s top golfers right now and I feel like we have the talent and tools with a great blend.”
At the last championships, Jamaica ended with 25 points behind the eventual Arthur Ziadie Trophy champions Puerto Rico, who amassed 41 points. Host country Dominican Republic tallied 39 points for the second spot, while Trinidad and Tobago placed fourth with 23 points. Barbados and The Cayman Islands, both with 19 points, were tied for fifth, and The Bahamas took the final spot with 15 points.
“If we go out there and we all execute and do what we know we can do, we could put ourselves in a position to win,” Burrowes said.
Sixteen-year-old Emily Mayne, who will be one of the youngest national representatives at the championships, says she is eager to play alongside her teammates.
"I am looking forward to the tough competition at the CAGC,” she said. “I am also excited to play alongside the three other girls, although I am the youngest on the team. I believe that with teamwork and determination, we can do very well.”
The team will be coached by Jason Lopez and Jonathan Newnham.