Jamaica trails Bahamas after opening round of Caribbean 4-Ball Championship
Carlyle Hudson, Dr. Mark Newnham, Jodi Munn-Barrow
Key Points(5)
- Jamaica began its bid for a seventh consecutive title at the Caribbean Golf Association Four-Ball Golf Championship in second place after the opening round, trailing the Bahamas by three points as the six-time defending champions faced an early challenge to their dominance.
- The Bahamas collected 28 points to lead the standings, with Jamaica on 25 and Trinidad and Tobago, last year’s runners-up, close behind on 24.
- Despite sending a smaller team than last year, Jamaica is represented in all six categories and remains determined to extend its remarkable record in a championship it has won at every staging, including last year’s tournament at Cinnamon Hill Golf Course in Montego Bay.
- The competition is being played at the Royal Turks & Caicos Golf Course, where strong winds made scoring difficult during the opening round.
- The participating nations are competing for the Ambrose Gouthro Cup, while individual teams are also pursuing trophies in their respective age and gender categories.
Jamaica began its bid for a seventh consecutive title at the Caribbean Golf Association Four-Ball Golf Championship in second place after the opening round, trailing the Bahamas by three points as the six-time defending champions faced an early challenge to their dominance.
The Bahamas collected 28 points to lead the standings, with Jamaica on 25 and Trinidad and Tobago, last year’s runners-up, close behind on 24.
Despite sending a smaller team than last year, Jamaica is represented in all six categories and remains determined to extend its remarkable record in a championship it has won at every staging, including last year’s tournament at Cinnamon Hill Golf Course in Montego Bay.
The competition is being played at the Royal Turks & Caicos Golf Course, where strong winds made scoring difficult during the opening round. The participating nations are competing for the Ambrose Gouthro Cup, while individual teams are also pursuing trophies in their respective age and gender categories.
Stein and Knibbs put Jamaica in front
Jamaica’s strongest position came in the Super Senior category, where Keith Stein and Radcliffe Knibbs produced a three-under-par 69 to establish a two-shot lead.
Trinidad and Tobago finished second at one-under-par 71, while the Cayman Islands were third at one-over-par 73.
The performance gave Jamaica a valuable category lead as it seeks to maintain its overall advantage in a championship that has become a fixture of national success.
Ladies and seniors remain within striking distance
Michele McCreath and Maggie Lyn placed second in the 45-and-over Ladies category after carding a five-over-par 78, one stroke behind hosts Turks & Caicos Islands, who led with 77.
Trinidad and Tobago occupied third place at 83, five strokes behind the Jamaican pair.
In the Senior category, Owen Samuda and Dr. Mark Newnham also finished second, posting an even-par 72. Puerto Rico set the pace with a three-under-par 69, tied for the best team score of the opening round.
Barbados and the Bahamas were tied for third at one-over-par 73, leaving Jamaica with work to do but still within reach of the leaders.
Three Jamaican teams chase category leaders
Jamaica Golf Association President Jodi Munn-Barrow and Diane Hudson opened with a seven-over-par 79 to sit third in the 25-and-over Ladies category.
The Bahamas led that division at 77, with Trinidad and Tobago second at 78. Jamaica was therefore only two shots off the lead and one behind the runners-up.
Carlyle Hudson and Dorrell Allen also finished third in the Legends category, recording a five-over-par 77. Trinidad and Tobago and the Bahamas shared the lead at 75, leaving the Jamaican pair two strokes behind.
In the Mid-Amateur Men category, Dave Cameron and Norman Pryce were tied for sixth with Puerto Rico after both teams returned six-over-par 78.
The Bahamas delivered the most dominant performance in that division, posting a four-under-par 68 to take a commanding lead. The Cayman Islands were second at two-under-par 70, while Trinidad and Tobago and the Bahamas B team shared third place at 73.
The Bahamas’ 68 was the lowest team score across all six categories in the opening round.
Jamaica seeks to preserve its winning tradition
With the second round still underway at the time of reporting, Jamaica remained in contention to extend its six-year run of championship victories.
The smaller squad will need strong performances across the remaining categories to overhaul the Bahamas and hold off Trinidad and Tobago, which sits just one point behind.
Barbados, Bermuda and St. Lucia are also among the participating countries, adding to the regional contest for the Ambrose Gouthro Cup.
After a challenging, wind-affected opening day, Jamaica’s title defense remains firmly alive, with Stein and Knibbs providing an early lead and several other Jamaican pairs close enough to mount a challenge in their respective divisions.
