Team Jamaica ready for all comers at 37th CAJGC

JAMAICA WRAPPED up their final practice session in the blazing sun at the Constant Spring Golf Course in Kingston on Saturday under the guidance of national coach Jonathan Newnham, ahead of the 37th Caribbean Amateur Junior Golf Championship (CAJGC) at the Grand Reserve Golf Club, Rio Grande in Puerto Rico.

When quizzed about the team’s readiness, he said, “Yes, definitely. They’ve worked hard, not just over the past couple weeks, but this is months, years, day in, day out. We have a good mix. Quite a few of the team members have been a part of the junior team for several years. We have a few new ones who will blend in beautifully and yes, I’m excited about the prospect of leading this team.”

Newnham also said, “I think it’s a great team. We don’t have the full complement as we would have had in years past, but the good news for us is that we have great representation in each individual category. And I’m excited about the prospects of them, once they stick to their game plan and everything we’ve talked about as far as the mindset and what to focus on. I believe it will bear dividends.

“So the job for us over the next couple days is to control the controlables and do our best and really enjoy the challenge, enjoy the journey together,” he said.

Alessandra Coe, who is in her third year of competing and her last in the 13 and Under category, was confidently looking forward to representing Jamaica.

“I feel good, because this is my last year and I kind of have an advantage; and I’m more confident because I’ve been here for three years. So I have a better chance of winning (an age group trophy) and representing the team.”

“There are some ups and downs, but I’m improving by the day and I’ve been practising more, especially with my short game” said Coe, regarding her preparation for the CAJGC.

Eighteen-year-old co-captain Mattea Issa was also looking forward to the championship to maintain or improve on her performance over the years and perhaps win an age group category, as well as guide her teammates. “So, given that I have been on the team since I was 11, I have come runner-up in in every single category, including this one. I’m just going to go out there and try my best, see what I can make of it, and if I happen to win, if I happen not to win, then I’ll just take that and move with it. It’s just managing expectations, keeping your emotions in check, and just all the other little things that, you know, you can do to make yourself and make your chances of, you know, winning better.”

Ryan Lue is the other co-captain.

He aims to “Hopefully play some good golf. Just there to play good and hope for the best for the team.”

Five members of the team, namely Coe, Issa, Lue, Kemari Morris, and Cameron Coe, departed the island early on Sunday morning and were joined by the other four members — Shasa Redlefsen, Kingston Burke, and the two debutantes Mallaina Williams and Francesca Black — in Puerto Rico for yesterday’s practice round to familiarise themselves with the championship course.

Competition for the Hank James Country Trophy gets under way today, as well as the age group trophies in the 13 & Under, 15 & Under and the 18 & Under girls’ and boys’ categories.

In addition to hosts Puerto Rico and Jamaica, the other competitors are The Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, St Lucia, US Virgin Islands, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Jamaica’s best position at the championship is second in 2018 at the Caymanas Golf Club in St Catherine, which was repeated in 2019 at the PGA-rated course in Nassau, Bahamas.

Several sponsors are on board this year, including Sandals Foundation, BCIC, Fleetwood, and Kholer.