By Tym Glaser, Associate Editor - SportTHERE WERE few surprises yesterday when the Jamaica Golf Association (JGA) officially released the team it will send to August's Caribbean Amateur Golf Championships (CAGC) in Tobago.
The event's format may have changed radically but the Jamaica squad has an extremely familiar shape.
The men, who will bid for the prestigious Hoerman Cup, are Owen Samuda, Michael Scott, Jason Garbutt and Paul Thompson, all members of last year's six-man team in an event which has now been pared down to four per side with three scores counting each day.
The ladies' George Teale Trophy team comprises Maggie Lyn and Jodi Munn - long-time Jamaica representatives in an event which has been reduced from three a side to two and now only the best score (instead of two) will count each round.
The successful supersenior combination of Herman McDonald and Cleo Taylor will team again after a year's break in the best score for each hole format while long-time Hoerman Cupper Mike Gleichman will partner Fred Sutherland in the newly-created Mid Amateur section for golfers over 35 years of age. Like the Ladies section, the best score per round will count.
Regional powerhouse Puerto Rico swept all before them last year at home and are expected to do the same in Tobago, however national squad selector David Mais believes Jamaica has a strong chance of upsetting the apple cart in at least two sections.
"Herman and Cleo shared first place two years ago and I think they are our best chance," said Mais who recommended the team with co-selectors Teddy Richards and Ian Melville.
"Also, I think Mike Gleichman and Fred Sutherland have an outstanding chance of doing very well in the Mid Amateur event," he said. "This is an opportunity for Mike to show his class. He's one of the best amateurs in the region."
While conceding the Jamaican women's and seniors' teams will find it tough against Puerto Rico and the change of format which will help "smaller" teams, Mais also feels the Hoerman Cup team could surprise.
"Michael Scott and Owen Samuda are as good as anybody else in the region," he said. "Garbutt continues to improve and is taking lessons from (Caymanas Golf and Country Club professional) Jason Lopez and, I think, Thompson is the best player in the island. He's working now so he's not playing much golf but we have put a six-week programme in place for the squad so they should be well prepared for the event."
The programme includes a coaching team comprising Kevin Cunningham, Kenn Depew and Lopez plus medical practitioner Dr Alison Charles.
