Williams, Camden produced best CAGC performances

Kierra Williams and Purbo Camden were Jamaica’s top performers at the 69th Caribbean Amateur Golf Championship (CAGC) at the Royal Blue Golf Course in Nassau, Bahamas.

Both players endured difficult opening rounds but improved their scores and positions on the leaderboard over the three-round championship.

Williams finished tied for second after being sixth at the end of the first round and joint leader after the second. She posted scores of six-over-par 78, one-over-par 73 and two-over-par 74 for a combined total of nine-over-par 225. It was her best performance at the CAGC.

Her teammates, Mattea Issa and Kingston Burke, posted combined scores of 248 and 250 to finish 11th and 13th, respectively. Both recorded their best rounds in the final round, with Issa carding a four-over-par 76 and Burke a six-over-par 78.

The women’s team placed third behind defending champions Puerto Rico and hosts Bahamas. Puerto Rico retained the George Teale Trophy. Jamaica improved on last year’s fourth-place finish.

Camden’s total of 233 over three rounds was good enough for 28th place. His scorecard showed rounds of 78, 79 and 76, while his final placing was two spots better than the joint 30th position he shared with Oshae Haye after the opening round.

Former national champion Oshae Haye finished tied for 34th place alongside Trey Williams after both golfers posted totals of 234. Haye’s best round was a 77 in the second round, while Williams shot a tournament-best 75 in the same round.

Current national champion Zandre Roye, who also won the selection trials, recovered from a disastrous opening round to post scores of 76 and 73 in rounds two and three, respectively. His combined total of 236 saw him finish tied for 37th place. His one-over-par 73 was the men’s team’s best individual round of the tournament.

Multiple-time Jamaica representative Owen Samuda also endured a difficult championship, finishing 44th after rounds of 85, 84 and 81 for a total of 250.

Jamaica’s other male representative, Dr Mark Newnham, closed the championship in 47th place, five positions higher than where he stood after the first round. He posted scores of 87, 84 and 83 for a total of 254.

The men’s team finished eighth in the 10-team competition, behind defending champions Puerto Rico, who retained the Hoerman Cup. Trinidad and Tobago and Bermuda were second and third, respectively.

Puerto Rico also retained the Arthur Ziadie Trophy, the overall country title, with 58 points. Jamaica were sixth with 33 points. Bermuda were second with 47 points, while the Dominican Republic placed third with 41.