Youthful national golf team off to regional champs

A young but talented group of players left the island yesterday to represent Jamaica at the prestigious Caribbean Amateur Golf Championships (CAGC), set to take place at the Iberostar Golf Course in Bavaro, Dominican Republic, from July 29 to August 3.

The team announcement by the Jamaica Golf Association recently has generated significant excitement within the local golf community. The youthful aggregation is touted to have at least a top-two finish at the championship this year.

Twenty-eight-year-old national champion Zandre Roye leads the men’s team, which also features Ryan Lue, Jack Stein, Rocco Lopez, Aman Dhiman and Oshae Haye. National junior champion Trey Williams and Shamar Wilson have been named as reserves.

The women’s team is equally impressive, headlined by standout golfer and national champion Mattea Issa, along with collegiate golfer Emily Mayne, Kierra Williams and Kingston Burke. Anoushka Khatri has been named as a reserve, with junior Alesandra Coe making the trip as a developmental player.

Team manager Seebert Walker says the youthful but mature team is expected to give a good account of themselves.

“We are confident in the abilities of our players and believe they will make Jamaica proud at the Caribbean Amateur Golf Championships,” said Walker.

The Iberostar Golf Course in Bavaro is renowned for its challenging layout and stunning scenery, making it a fitting venue for the CAGC, and Walker says a title push is not beyond the team that has loads of experience despite their youth.

“I will go as far as to say that I would be disappointed if we are not number one or number two. It is not beyond us to win. This event provides an excellent opportunity for our golfers to showcase their talent and compete against the best in the region, and I expect us to go out and compete as hard as we can,” Walker said.