Roye, Munn-Barrow top challenging Caymanas Golf Classic

SOME OF the golfers in this year’s Caymanas Golf Classic were challenged mentally and physically when they had to complete three rounds of golf in two days, to gain WAGR (World Amateur golf ranking) points which allows them to play in more tournaments across the region and the world. Zandre Roye was the big winner in that section, while the Jamaica Golf Association’s president, Jodi Munn-Barrow, won the Ladies’ section of the two-day tournament.

Roye was able to stay focused under extreme heat and windy conditions to play 54 holes in two days to post scores of two-over-par 74, one-over-par 73, and seven-over-par 79 for a combined 10-over-par 226. Trey Williams, who recently graduated from the junior ranks, was just three strokes back in second place on 13-over-par 229, while Oshae Haye was a further three strokes back on 16-over-par 232.

“The conditions were tough over the weekend. Yesterday was a little bit better than today. The course dried out a lot today and it really played difficult putting, greens were faster, wedges weren’t holding in the greens, so you really had to strategically execute your shots out there and I think I managed it well, all things considered” said Roye.

He added, “It feels good, you know. I mean, I had a game plan and I just went out there and tried to execute my game plan to the best of my abilities, and I think I did that.”

Sean Morris, Dr Mark Newnham, and Dave Cameron also took on the challenge in the Men’s Senior 0-6 category and returned scores of 18-over-par 234, 22-over-par 238, and 36-over-par 252, respectively.

Some local pros played in the tournament as well, with Sebert Walker Jr scoring a similar total score of 10-over-par 226 as Roye. Raymond Brown was just one stroke back on 227, and Orville Christie was a further six strokes back on 17-over-par 233.

Owen Samuda and Munn-Barrow topped the golfers in the two-day/18-hole section of the tournament. Samuda scored seven-over-par 151 to get the better of William Lee, who posted 12-over-par 157 in the Men & Men’s Senior 0-6 category.

Samuda expressed happiness with the win. “Well, that feels really good. After ending on a strong year last year and the beginning of this year, coming back out fresh and winning the first one, that’s a great feeling.”

Munn-Barrow played two good rounds of golf on the back of two-under-par 70 and three-over-par 75 for a combined score of just one-over-par 145.

She was surprised but pleased with the results.

“Very surprising. I haven’t been playing that much because of work commitments, so I think my expectations were a little bit low. So I’m very pleased with the two-day performance. [I] do have to find some more time to put in some more practice to get my game going even better than it is now, but overall I’m happy with the results.”

Munn-Barrow gave a sneak preview into what is in store this year when the JGA will celebrate 100 years of existence.

“Well, it’s a big celebration for us. We’re currently just finalising some activities that we’re gonna be doing for the year, and these would include doing some grow-the-game clinics, inviting people to come and learn to play golf. We’re gonna be doing an end-of-year awards banquet and prize giving, and then we’re gonna have also our major fundraiser; and we’re gonna elevate that to celebrate the 100 years’ activities and then of course, Jamaica Open in November. We’re gonna try to do something a little bit more special for the Open. But it’s a big deal and we’re trying to get everything finalised. Talking to sponsors right now to get people on board, so that we can really elevate it to what it deserves to be. I mean, 100 years of this association is something great that needs to be recognised.”

Some of the other golfers who had podium finishes included former President of the JGA Wayne Chai-Chong, Tony Gooden, and juniors Shasa Redlefsen, Kemari Morris, Ishana Belel, and Anessandra Coe.

The Caymanas Golf Classic, which was held last Sunday at the Caymanas Golf Club in St Catherine, is the first golf tournament of the year on the JGA calendar.