Jamaica name 12-member team for 65th Caribbean Amateur Golf Championships

By Sports Desk June 20, 2022

Justin Burrowes, Sebert Walker Jr., Ryan Lue and William Knibbs form part of a 12-member Jamaica team named for the 65th Caribbean Amateur Golf Championships in the Turks & Caicos Islands from August 1 to 6.

Rocco Lopez and Owen Samuda have also been named to the team for which Aman Dhiman is the reserve player. Lue, at 15 years, is making his debut as the youngest male player while Samuda is 52.

Meanwhile, Emily Mayne, Mattea Issa, Cameron March and Winni Lau comprise the female team with Eryn Blakely named as the reserve player.  Issa at 15 years is the youngest female player on the team but has experience under her belt as this is her second time on the senior team.

The team was named after a rigorous four-day national senior trials played at the Cinnamon Hill Golf Course on the first two days and Half Moon Golf Course on the final two days.  Sebert Walker Jr. topped the leaderboard for the first three days and was ahead by 11 shots at the end of day two but faltered badly and gave up the advantage to Justin Burrowes who won by a stroke on the final play.

Emily Mayne shared the lead between herself and Jodi Munn-Barrow over the four days but ended up winning by eight strokes and ending the trials on 309.

Former player Dr. Mark Newnham will serve as team manager.

The ladies will also be trying to take their first hold of the George Teale Trophy.  Last year, while not fielding a full-strength team, ended in fourth place.

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    Though Hallgrimsson would have preferred the 2023/24 CNL title, as opposed to the bronze they secured with a 1-0 win over Panama, he believes the achievement represents a step in the right direction on their quest to add to the country’s 1998 World Cup feat.

    “This is just a part of our journey. We were trying to build something for this tournament as there is a saying that ‘success is not a destination, success is not a date, it’s a continuous journey to the right direction’. So, we’re just working on improving this team, as our biggest goal at the moment is to try to reach the World Cup finals,” Hallgrimsson declared. 

    Jamaica’s third-place battle followed a heartbreaking 3-1 extra-time loss to United States in an entertaining semi-final contest that they led from the very first minute, but lost after Corey Burke’s last-gasped own-goal brought the opponents back into the game.

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    “This is a good step to play important matches, to play big tournaments, and to play strong opponents like the United States and Panama. They are two of the three highest-ranked Concacaf teams and we showed that we are closing in on this gap, even with the number of players not with us. So, I have to give a lot of credit to the players for the way they presented themselves for Jamaica,” Hallgrimsson said.

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    “This camp has given us more depth in the squad, players really punched in and showed that they want to belong into this starting lineup. Jamaica is richer after this camp,” Hallgrimsson noted.

    “Tactics, it was both because we were missing players and playing good teams so we thought it would be better to play with three at the back. Given that we played 120 minutes (against United States) it was a really good performance, a solid performance from the team so I’m happy,” he ended.

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  • Jaydon Hibbert awards five scholarships to alma mater Kingston College Jaydon Hibbert awards five scholarships to alma mater Kingston College

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    Hibbert presented a symbolic cheque of $780,000 to Kingston College’s Principal Dave Myrie, during an event at the school’s North Street base on Thursday, March 21.

    The scholarships were disbursed to five students, valued at $156,000 each, and will cover their tuition fees, books and other expenses for a full academic year.

    Among the scholarship recipients are Aaron McKenzie and Daquan Dawkins, both jumpers, who competed at the just-concluded ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships, where Kingston College won its 35th title. The other scholarship recipients are second-form students Jehu Green, Joshua Lewin, and Ricadeen Wilkins.

    Hibbert, the first Jamaican and the youngest ever to be awarded the highest US collegiate honour, The Bowerman, lauded Kingston College for instilling the value of giving back.

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    “To all recipients, I encourage you to stay focused, stay humble and stay thankful. I believe in your future and your personal growth here at this great institution,” he said.
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    "While some may choose to support the athletic community only, he has extended his scholarships to other students, and for that, I must commend Jaydon. During his time at Kingston College, he excelled academically, achieving distinctions in various subjects, including French. We take pride in his achievements,” Myrie noted.

    Hibbert, who is currently under professional contract with Puma, also used the opportunity to thank the apparel brand for investing in his talent.
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