Jamaica’s young golfers carry big ambitions into Caribbean Junior Championship
Jamaica’s local based players pose with new coach Kevin Cunningham (3rd right) and manager Alison Reid (right), at their last training session on Friday. The team members are (from left) Jaleel Eccleston, Alessandra Coe, Kemari Morris, Amelia Clough, Mark Schnoor and Shasa Redlefsen The team departed the island on Sunday for the Dominican Republic for the three-day championship.
Key Points(5)
- Jamaica’s next generation of golf talent has arrived at the Caribbean Amateur Junior Golf Championship with high hopes, strong preparation, and a determination to deliver competitive performances.
- Six members of the eight-player national team departed the island on Sunday for the Dominican Republic, where they will compete against the region’s best young golfers.
- The remaining two overseas-based players are expected to join the squad ahead of Monday’s practice round.
- While Jamaica enters the tournament without a full complement of players and therefore does not anticipate challenging for the overall team title, expectations remain high for individual success.
- The squad combines returning competitors with promising newcomers, creating a blend of experience and fresh ambition.
Jamaica’s next generation of golf talent has arrived at the Caribbean Amateur Junior Golf Championship with high hopes, strong preparation, and a determination to deliver competitive performances.
Six members of the eight-player national team departed the island on Sunday for the Dominican Republic, where they will compete against the region’s best young golfers. The remaining two overseas-based players are expected to join the squad ahead of Monday’s practice round.
While Jamaica enters the tournament without a full complement of players and therefore does not anticipate challenging for the overall team title, expectations remain high for individual success.
The squad combines returning competitors with promising newcomers, creating a blend of experience and fresh ambition.
Returning players bring experience and cConfidence
Among the returning players is Alessandra Coe, who will step up into the 15-and-under girls division after making her mark last year with a bronze medal in the 13-and-under category.
She will be joined by Shasa Redlefsen in the 15-and-under boys division and Kemari Morris in the 18-and-under boys category.
Redlefsen enters the championship with significant international experience, representing Jamaica for the fifth time.
Despite moving into a new age group, he believes his previous tournament exposure will help him compete.
“My expectations are high. I have a good amount of experience coming into this tournament,” Redlefsen said.
“It’s my first time in 15 and under so I don’t have the experience for 15 and under but I have experience for the tournament and I think I will be able to do well. I am playing good golf and I trust myself.”
Morris also brings several years of experience representing Jamaica, giving the team valuable leadership among the older players.
Newcomers ready for their first national assignment
The championship will also mark a major milestone for three young golfers making their first appearances for Jamaica.
Amelia Clough will compete in the 13-and-under girls division, while Jaleel Eccleston and Mark Schnoor will represent the country in the 13-and-under boys category.
Their inclusion reflects Jamaica’s continued focus on developing younger players and creating a pathway for future national representatives.
The team will also feature two overseas-based competitors: Francesca Black in the 15-and-under girls division and Kingston Burke in the 18-and-under girls category.
Black is based in Florida, while Burke is based in Texas.
Coach Cunningham focused on personal goals over pressure
The team will be guided by first-time tour coach Kevin Cunningham, director of golf at Half Moon Golf Course in Montego Bay.
Cunningham has been closely involved in preparing the players for the championship, with training sessions held at both Half Moon Golf Course and Constant Spring Golf Club in Kingston.
Rather than placing pressure on the team to win the overall competition, Cunningham wants each player to focus on individual progress and achieving personal targets.
“I am not expecting them to win the golf tournament but we are expecting them to set their own targets, set their expectations and we will help them with that and hopefully they’ll reach these expectations and those goals,” Cunningham said.
He acknowledged the challenge ahead but remained confident in the team’s preparation.
“It’s going to be a challenge for us but we will do the best we can and we will do quite well I think.”
Championship set for three days of competition
The Jamaican team was expected to complete a practice round Monday at Playa Dorado Golf Club before the 54-hole championship officially begins Tuesday.
Competition will continue through Thursday, with players competing across three days for individual honors.
Alison Reid, a long-time advocate for junior golf development in Jamaica, will accompany the team as manager during the tournament.
Jamaica has previously finished as Caribbean team runners-up twice, while several individual players have captured age-group titles.
The country’s most recent champion was Mattea Issa, who won the 18-and-under girls division in 2025.
As this year’s young golfers prepare to take their place on the regional stage, Jamaica’s mission is clear: build experience, compete with confidence, and continue developing the future of the sport.
