Brown targets Jamaica Open glory as home drought enters spotlight
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Jamaica professional golfer Wesley Brown putts a ball in the proam that precedes the Jamaica Open Golf Championship at the Tryall Golf Club in Hanover.
Key Points(5)
- Jamaican professional Wesley Brown is convinced that the time has come for him to reclaim the Jamaica Open Golf Championship for the home country, declaring himself ready to shoulder the responsibility as the 58th staging of the tournament gets underway at Tryall Golf Course in Hanover.
- Brown, a consistent performer at the national championship over the years, is targeting his first Jamaica Open title since 2009, when fellow Jamaican Johnny Bloomfield became the last local golfer to lift the prestigious trophy.
- And despite admitting that his preparation has been far from ideal, the experienced professional is confident that his familiarity with the demands of the championship, coupled with his growing confidence, could make this his year.
- Brown ready to carry Jamaica’s hopes Brown, who has been working in St.
- Lucia as a golf professional and consultant at Sandals Cap Estate, returned to Jamaica just four days before the championship.
Jamaican professional Wesley Brown is convinced that the time has come for him to reclaim the Jamaica Open Golf Championship for the home country, declaring himself ready to shoulder the responsibility as the 58th staging of the tournament gets underway at Tryall Golf Course in Hanover.
Brown, a consistent performer at the national championship over the years, is targeting his first Jamaica Open title since 2009, when fellow Jamaican Johnny Bloomfield became the last local golfer to lift the prestigious trophy.
And despite admitting that his preparation has been far from ideal, the experienced professional is confident that his familiarity with the demands of the championship, coupled with his growing confidence, could make this his year.
Brown ready to carry Jamaica’s hopes
Brown, who has been working in St. Lucia as a golf professional and consultant at Sandals Cap Estate, returned to Jamaica just four days before the championship. However, his showing in Thursday's pro-am competition provided encouraging signs that his game remains in good shape.
"I always expect to play well. I always enter a tournament to win, no matter if I'm not practising. I have what it takes. I've done some work since I've been back four days now," Brown said.
"Because today at the pro-am, I hit some fantastic shots, and I helped the team out big time, so it's still there; it's just for me to go out tomorrow, minimize my mistake and capitalize on the good shots and put a good round together."
The Jamaican believes that the experience accumulated through years of competing at the national championship could prove decisive this time around.
"Yes, so through experience I've gathered over the years, I became more confident and comfortable in the situation. So, it should be a different story this year because I've put in the time over the years, and I think that's what's going to pay off this year," he said.
Brown is also eager to give the home supporters something to celebrate, insisting that he belongs among the leading contenders.
"You should see the black, green and gold flag up there beside the name Wesley Brown. I'm really looking forward to playing well. I really feel it that this year is my year so hopefully I can make all my fans, family and everyone proud of me this year. This is my national open, and I always look forward to playing in it. Disappointing last year got cancelled because of weather, but this year should be real fun."
He was even more emphatic when discussing Jamaica's lengthy wait for another homegrown champion.
"It's time for Jamaica to take it back, and I think it's my time. I think most of the pressure is on my shoulder, and my shoulder is broad, so I think I can carry that torch for the country and for everyone."
Eighty golfers turn out for pro-am
Brown's confidence was one of the talking points as 80 golfers, representing 20 teams of four, took advantage of the pro-am tournament to familiarize themselves with the course ahead of the championship.
The turnout represents a significant increase from the last staging in 2024, with professionals joining forces with amateur competitors, female golfers and two junior players gaining valuable exposure to the Tryall layout.
The championship returns after a one-year interruption caused by the devastation of Hurricane Melissa in 2025. The storm inflicted extensive damage on the property, destroying more than 500 trees and preventing last year's tournament from taking place.
Stachkunas team claims pro-am honors
The pro-am competition, played in the Stableford format, was won by the team featuring American professional Tyler Stachkunas and local amateurs George Hugh, Diane Hudson and Carlyle Hudson, who posted a net score of 53.375.
Finishing second with 55.125 was the team of local professional Ewan Peebles and amateurs Jack Stein, John O'Donoghue and former Jamaica Golf Association president Wayne Chai Chong.
The Sandals corporate team, comprising professional Johnny Newnham and amateurs Ryan Terrier, Ben Jardim and Jordan Samuda, secured the corporate team prize.
Meanwhile, the Nearest to the Pin award was shared by Norman Deon, Owen Samuda and John Moe.
Championship gets underway at 7:30 a.m.
The opening group is scheduled to begin play at 7:30 a.m., featuring American professional Brad Adamonis alongside Jamaican amateur Aman Dhiman and fellow American Robert Cimini.
Defending champion Benjamin Martin is down for a 9:40 a.m. tee time as the field begins its pursuit of the coveted title.
For Brown, however, the mission is much bigger than individual glory. He wants to see the Jamaican flag flying at the top of the leaderboard when the championship concludes.
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