Juniors shine at JGA National Trials in MoBay

If the results from the Jamaica Golf Association National Senior Trials are anything to go by, Jamaica’s team to the Caribbean Amateur Junior Golf Championship should be hard to beat after youngsters Ryan Lue and Mattea Issa bettered their more senior opponents to claim their respective categories in the recent event at Half Moon in Montego Bay.

The 16-year-old Lue was in scintillating form after carding two under-par rounds to secure first place in the men’s 0-6 category, following his six-under-par score of 210.

In the opening round Lue shot a two under par 70 then followed that up with an even par round of 72 before sealing the deal with an impressive four under par 68 in the final round to beat second-place William Knibbs by eight shots.

Knibbs’ final round two under par 70 was his best score of the round, which included an opening round 76 followed by a second round score of 72, for a two over par total of 218.

Third place went to Zandre Roye who carded a five over par total of 221 while fellow junior Rocco Lopez placed fourth following his 10 over par 226.

For Lue, winning the trials is the perfect platform with the Caribbean junior championships slated for the Cayman Islands early next month.

“I had a pretty good weekend as it was fun out there. My game has really connected and I am happy about my outcome. It was tough over the three days but I was calm on the course and I am just happy to play in Jamaica again and happy to come out on top,” said Lue.

In the meantime, Issa secured the zero to 12 ladies’ title following her 28-over par total of 244. The junior registered scores of 82 in round one then followed that up with scores of 80 and 82 in rounds two and three.

Jamaica Golf Association President Jodi Munn-Barrow finished runner-up after carding a 30 over par 246.

“I’m happy to come away with the win this past weekend. The conditions were not ideal as it was raining for the majority of the first two days. Unfortunately, I didn’t manage to get a practice round in as it was raining, but It was fun getting to play with Aunty Jodi Munn Barrow the president of the Jamaica golf association as I am always learning from her,” said Issa.