Team Jamaica wrapped up a commendable campaign at the 37th Caribbean Amateur Junior Golf Championship (CAJGC) on Thursday, leaving the fairways of the Grand Reserve Golf Club with one gold, two bronze trophies, and a deep well of pride.
The team finished fourth overall in a competitive field, with standout performances from both seasoned juniors and rising talents.
Mattea Issa strikes gold in storybook finish
For co-captain Mattea Issa, the tournament was nothing short of a personal triumph and a poetic conclusion to her junior golf career. After years of coming close but never quite clinching the top prize, Issa captured her first-ever gold medal in the 18 and Under category, delivering a steady and composed final round score of three-over-par 75.
Her combined total of 231 (83, 73, 75) secured the coveted Peter Hale Trophy—a long-awaited and emotional victory in her final year of eligibility.
“It’s an amazing way to finish,” Issa shared with pride. “To finally get the gold after being runner-up so many times—this means everything.”
Bronze for Burke and Coe: Promise from the podium
Also flying the flag high in the 18 and Under category was Kingston Burke, who battled through the rounds to secure a bronze medal. Burke’s consistent play produced a total score of 237 (83, 77, 77), earning him a well-deserved place on the podium.
In the 13 and Under girls’ division, Alessandra Coe delivered a breakthrough performance, capturing her first-ever CAJGC trophy after three years of trying. Her determination paid off as she recorded steady scores of 85, 80, and 81, for a combined 246—good enough for third place and a bronze medal.
“I was confident coming into the championship,” Coe said. “I just knew this year would be different.”
Her teammate Francesca Black also gave a solid account of herself in the same category, placing fifth overall with a total score of 263.
Strong showings across divisions signal growth
In the 15 and Under boys’ division, Kemari Morris emerged as Jamaica’s top male performer, narrowly missing a medal with a fourth-place finish. He posted scores of 74, 80, and 78, totaling 232, in a category that proved fiercely competitive.
Teammate Cameron Coe faced stiff opposition, closing the event in 15th place with a total of 266.
In the 13 and Under boys’ category, Shasa Redlefsen demonstrated impressive consistency with rounds of 83, 79, and 79, landing him a seventh-place finish at 241.
Lue opens strong, but slips in final rounds
The championship also saw flashes of brilliance from co-captain Ryan Lue, who posted the best individual round by any Jamaican—an even-par 72 in the opening round of the 18 and Under boys’ division, momentarily placing him second on the leaderboard. However, subsequent rounds saw a dip in form, and he closed tied for 14th place with a total score of 240.
Meanwhile, Mallaina Williams, competing in the 15 and Under girls’ division, posted respectable scores of 86, 86, and 84, finishing in seventh place.
Celebration and reflection: A step forward for Jamaica’s golf future
While the final team placement of fourth might have left room for higher aspirations, the medals—and more importantly, the character and improvement shown—are a testament to Jamaica’s growing presence in regional junior golf. As the sun set on the Puerto Rican greens, Team Jamaica stood proud—celebrating not just their hardware, but their heart.
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