When the Jamaican delegation stepped onto the tarmac certain for the Caribbean Novice Golf Championship (July 2–4), the power was unmistakable.
With solely two newcomers amongst 9 rivals, the island’s mix of rising expertise and confirmed pedigree now targets a feat no Jamaican aspect has but achieved: an total workforce title on the area’s premier novice showcase.
Trials forge a formidable six‑man line‑up
Nationwide trials at Caymanas Golf Course produced a males’s roster brimming with kind: Zandre Roye, Aman Dhiman, debutant Camden Purboo, former junior standout Trey Williams, previous champion Oshae Haye, and 18‑12 months‑previous nationwide champion Ryan Lue. Reserve Sean Morris—himself a former title‑holder—provides insurance coverage. Every day, the 4 lowest scores will represent Jamaica’s workforce whole, sharpening the sting of inside competitors.
“The fellows are taking part in good. I like the place we’re at,” captain Roye asserted. “The trials confirmed the talent stage of the golfers this 12 months, and everyone has been practising… as soon as we execute, I feel we’ll undoubtedly have an excellent likelihood of coming residence with the trophy.”
Three ladies, no room for error
On the ladies’s aspect, Jamaica fields simply three scorers—Mattea Issa, Emily Mayne, and Kingston Burke—one shy of the 4‑participant quota each rival enjoys. All three have senior caps; all three should fireplace each spherical.
“Final 12 months I used to be the workforce captain as effectively and it was an unimaginable expertise,” mentioned Issa, nonetheless solely 18. “I’ve been taking part in effectively… I’m conversant in this course, so hopefully I can use that to my benefit and simply have a superb week.”
Mayne, recent from a productive U.S. collegiate season, embraced the problem:
“We got here second final 12 months; I’m hoping we’ll do higher and hopefully win it. Our rating goes to rely on daily basis… it’s as much as us if we wish to get the trophy and win.”
Debutants prepared for senior highlight
Teeing it up at senior stage for the primary time, Williams may scarcely include his anticipation:
“I anticipate quite a bit. I’m very excited for the competitors… I’ve been ready to be on the workforce for a superb whereas, attempting yearly to make it. I’m very excited to see what I can do and see how I put up towards larger rivals.”
Purboo, in the meantime, makes use of Tuesday’s apply spherical to soak up course knowledge from veteran taking part in companions—a part of a deliberate pairing technique by workforce supervisor Alison Reid.
Supervisor’s blueprint: Share information, win collectively
Reid believes Jamaica’s junior‑groomed nucleus is able to blossom on the regional stage:
“We’ve a really skilled workforce, a extremely good workforce. Plenty of these gamers got here up via junior golf and so they have a superb observe document… So long as we work as a workforce and share data, I feel the workforce ought to have the ability to play effectively on the occasion.”
Observe full, stakes set
With fairways charted throughout Tuesday’s reconnaissance, play begins Wednesday on the par‑72 Barbados Golf Course. Three rounds stand between Jamaica and historical past—three days through which youthful exuberance should fuse with exhausting‑earned know‑how.
Ought to the plan maintain, these black, inexperienced and gold shirts will depart Christ Church not merely as rivals, however as champions.
