Notwithstanding their second-place finish in the Hoerman Cup and fourth spot in the George Teale Trophy at the recently concluded Caribbean Amateur Golf Championships, members of Jamaica’s contingent expressed a measure of satisfaction over how they performed during the tournament.

Jamaica scored 19 points and placed third overall behind second-place Dominican Republic (20 points) and host country Puerto Rico (36 points).

Team manager Robert Chin said given the circumstances that faced the team prior to departing for the competition, the team did well.

“It went very well for us.  Because of COVID, we weren’t sure if this event was going to be held this year. The association still pressed along with trials and the preparation was lacking,” he said.

“I must say this is truly a team performance. Everybody stepped up, things were tough, conditions were tough and everybody grind every day and we held second place from start to finish.  There are two big powerhouses in golf within the Caribbean, that is Dom Rep and Puerto Rico and we were able to maintain and hold second place and that is a very credible performance and total team effort.”

Justin Burrowes echoed the sentiments of the manager.

“Overall, I am happy with the experience,” he said. “I felt like we bonded really well together.  Everybody got along very well with each other and we were super supportive of each other and I am just happy to be a part of this team and represent my country.”

Jamaica’s men moved up a place from their third-place finish in 2019 after posting a total team score of 50 over par 914.  The top four players who contributed to the team score were Burrowes, William Knibbs, Owen Samuda and Shamar Wilson.

According to Knibbs, “It was a good week.  The first two days were really windy. I struggled with my putting a bit and I knew I could help the team more than I did the first two days, so on the third day I went to practice two hours extra early and as it turns out I helped as I knew I could.”

Things didn’t go as smoothly for Dr Mark Newnham.

“The thing with golf, you have one good week and one bad week right after and I think I just wasn’t able to find a rhythm,” he said.

“I would just like to echo what both Justin and William said that we just had a very fantastic time with the team. We bonded really and there was just loads of positive energy and I think that’s what helped us to get through and come out with the second place.”

Jamaica’s female team of newcomers, 14-year-old Mattea Issa and Madelyn Newkik, finished fourth place after posting 68 over par 500.  Puerto Rico was first with a score of 13 over par 445 while the Dominican Republic was second with 44 over par 476 while third went to US Virgin Islands – 68 over par 473.

JGA President Jodi Munn-Barrow said the team did their country proud.

“I’m immensely proud of my Jamaican team.  They really raised the flag high, made us very proud. They went out there every day, fought hard, played their hearts out,” she said.

“The team spirit, the camaraderie, the energy from the team was exemplary.  I hadn’t really seen that sort of synergy from a Jamaican team for a couple years, so it was good to see that this year, and as you know, we were two girls short but it didn’t matter, everybody was helping everybody and it was really a great accomplishment this week to come back at least with a second place finish and third place overall.”