Jamaica's golf champion Zandre Roye and rising junior golfer Ryan Lue flew the Jamaican flag at the recently concluded 10th Latin America Amateur Golf Championship (LAAC), held at the Pilar Golf Club in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Though both golfers faced challenges and did not make the cut, the experience has strengthened their resolve to compete at the highest level in the future.

Roye began the tournament with a promising first round, carding a three-over-par 75, positioning himself within reach of the cut. However, a challenging second round, where he posted a nine-over-par 81, brought his two-day total to 12-over-par 156, leaving him outside the cutline for the second consecutive year.

In his debut appearance at the LAAC, Lue faced a steep learning curve, struggling to find his rhythm in the opening round. He scored 14-over-par 86 on the first day but showed improvement in the second round with a nine-over-par 81, finishing with a two-day total of 23-over-par 167.

Despite the setbacks, both golfers expressed gratitude for the opportunity to represent Jamaica on such a prestigious stage. They believe the experience will prove invaluable as they continue to develop their skills and aim for future editions of the championship.

"This championship has shown me the level I need to get to," said Lue. "It’s a great learning experience, and I’ll be working hard to come back stronger next time."

Roye shared a similar sentiment, acknowledging the challenges while emphasizing the importance of persistence. "It’s always an honour to represent Jamaica, and these experiences are critical for growth. I’ll take what I’ve learned here and use it to improve for the future."

Ryan Lue

Jamaica’s best finish at the LAAC remains 24th place, achieved by Ian Facey in 2015. Both Roye and Lue are determined to build on this legacy and aim for better results in the coming years.

The 2024 championship was won by Justin Hastings of the Cayman Islands, who shot an impressive 16-under-par 272 to claim the title. Hastings became the second golfer from the Cayman Islands to win the LAAC, following in the footsteps of Aaron Jarvis, who secured victory in 2022.

The tournament, which featured 107 golfers from 28 countries, continues to provide a platform for the best amateur golfers in the region. Participants included players from familiar Caribbean rivals such as Barbados, Bermuda, Puerto Rico, and Trinidad and Tobago, who also compete in the Caribbean Amateur Golf Championship.

With the experience gained at this year’s event, both Roye and Lue are optimistic about their future in the sport. Their participation at the LAAC serves as a stepping stone toward raising the standard of Jamaican golf on the international stage, as they aim to inspire the next generation of golfers from the island.

The Latin America Amateur Golf Championship continues to be a vital tournament for showcasing emerging talent, and Jamaican golfers are determined to make their mark in future editions.