Burrowes, Walker Jr to make pro debuts at Jamaica Open

TRYALL, HANOVER:

TWO OF the island’s top amateurs, Justin Burrowes and Sebert Walker Jr, will shrug that tag today when they make their professional debut at the 56th staging of the Jamaica Golf Open which tees off at the prestigious Tryall Golf course in Hanover.

The young pair will be among a field of 35 professionals from across the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and even Uganda, who will try to top the 54-hole three-day championship which carries a first prize of US$20,000.

For the US-based Burrowes, turning pro has been a lifelong dream which he gets to realise in his homeland at the Jamaica Open.

“I am very excited about it. I have done the work behind the scenes and it’s just a matter of going out and executing.”

Burrowes, who has been living in Dallas, Texas, will have his good friend Byron Burns on his bag for his pro debut, and the diminutive golfer says today’s first tee shot will be a dream come true.

“Since I was six years old I knew I wanted to play golf for a living. I think the timing has worked out perfectly as I will be making my debut at home. I told myself that when I turn 21 or 22 years old that would be the right time, and here I am,” said Burrowes.

Burrowes says he will be playing a couple of open events in the US before turning his attention to qualifying school for the Korn Ferry Tour next year. The Korn Ferry Tour is the tour just below the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA).

“I have to adjust mentally, knowing that I am now playing for money and my livelihood and I am excited about it,” said Burrowes.

PLAN

In the meantime, Walker Jr says it was always a part of the plan to go through college and then go pro, and it is even more exciting knowing that the Jamaica Open will be his first pro event.

The Tennessee State University graduate said he started thinking about professional golf when he was 15 years old as his game got better.

“I believe that when you are good at something, you should make a run at it and my family and I discussed this move and here I am.”

Burrowes and Walker Jr will have their work cut out as they will have to stave off the challenge of defending champion Patrick Cover from the US and last year’s runner-up, Josh Anderson, who is looking to go one better this year.

“This year is going to be tough as the fairways are narrower and it will be more challenging than last year, but it should be fun,” said Anderson.

With Burrowes going pro, the amateur section will crown a new champion with the likes of Jamaican Oshae Haye, Zandre Roy Trinidadian Ross Ramkisoon, and Barbadian Shaquon Harding looking to vie for the title.

Four golfers will vie for the senior professional title while the senior amateur category will also feature four golfers.