There was light rain in the morning and afternoon, but that didn’t prevent the Puerto Rico men’s team from taking a strong lead on the first day of the 64th Caribbean Amateur Golf Championships (CAGC).

Forty seven top golfers from six Caribbean countries are competing from August 24-26 at the Country Club at Grand Reserve, Rio Grande, in Puerto Rico.

Vying for the Hoerman Cup (Best Male Team), Puerto Rico has pulled far ahead with two over par, while Jamaica is in second place (+21) followed by Dominican Republic (+24) and Trinidad & Tobago (+31).

In the ladies division, competing for the George Teale Trophy, Puerto Rico women’s team has managed to capture the top spot with six over par. On their heels are Dominican Republic (+11) and US Virgin Islands (+15).

The individual standings is a close finish in round one with the men performing well. Gustavo Rangel of Puerto Rico leads with three under par, shooting 69. Following closely in second place is Rhadames Peña of Dominican Republic (-2) and third is tied between Jamaica’s Justin Burrowes and Roberto Nieves – who both shot even par.

The individual standings in the women’s division is even closer. Tying for first position with 74 strokes at two over par is Yae Eun Kim of Dominican Republic, US Virgin Islands’ Alexandra Swayne, and Puerto Rico’s Camila Negroni. They are trailed by Darianys Guzman (+4) of Puerto Rico and Madelyn Newkirk (+6) of Jamaica.

Sidney Wolf, president of the CGA and Golf PR, welcomed the delegates during a luncheon which took place at the golf course on August 23. He gave a brief history on the event including the Arthur Ziadie trophy which will be presented to the overall winning country.

“We are very happy to see the many juniors who have stepped up to compete in the CAGC this year. Our juniors are the future of golf in the Caribbean,” said Wolf. He specially acknowledged Jodi Munn-Barrow, who joined the CGA Council this year as its first woman and who was also recently announced as the first woman president of the Jamaica Golf Association.

The president closed by thanking sponsors including R&A, Puerto Rico Tourism Company, Banco Popular, Titleist, and Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve, who he said were a few among the many who helped to make the event a reality.

The 2021 CAGC ends tomorrow (August 26).