Reid hails Jamaica’s rising golf stars after strong showing at Caribbean Junior Championships

Jamaica’s young golfers returned from the 38th Caribbean Amateur Junior Golf Championship with more than improved scorecards, they brought home renewed confidence and optimism for the future.

Competing over three challenging days at the Playa Dorado Golf Club in the Dominican Republic recently, the Jamaican squad demonstrated steady progress throughout the tournament, with several players producing stronger rounds as the championship unfolded. Team manager and junior golf convener Alison Reid described the overall performance as an encouraging step forward for the country’s developing talent.

“Our juniors did well today. They worked hard, they did their best, and I'm really proud of their effort,” Reid said after the final round.

Building for the future

Reid believes the experience has laid an important foundation for the next phase of Jamaica’s junior golf program.

Working alongside first-time national team coach Kevin Cunningham, she expressed confidence that consistent training and broader player development can elevate Jamaica into medal contention at future regional championships.

“We are very encouraged. Coach Kevin Cunningham and I are very encouraged by what we've seen and the fact that if we continue to build, starting next week, as soon as we can after getting back, I think we can have children that can place, and we're also looking for other juniors to help us to get to the point where we will have a full team again,” Reid said.

Reflecting on the championship as a whole, she emphasized both the competitive gains and the invaluable experience the tournament provided.

“This was a great experience for our juniors. They all improved, and it was good. It was a good championship. I think we did the best that we could and I'm very proud of my team.”

Morris delivers Jamaica’s best finish

Leading Jamaica’s performances was Kemari Morris, who steadily improved over each round in the Boys’ 18-and-under division.

After opening with a 78, Morris followed with scores of 75 and 74 to finish at 11-over-par 227, securing an impressive seventh-place finish.

Puerto Rico’s Ayden Febres claimed the title after rounds of 74, 67 and 74 for a tournament-winning one-under-par total of 215. His second-round 67 stood as the lowest score recorded during the championship.

Newcomers shine with personal bests

One of Jamaica’s brightest stories came from first-time national representative Amelia Clough.

Competing in the Girls’ 11-13 category, Clough finished fifth after rounds of 102, 90 and 95 for a total of 287. Her second-round 90 marked a personal best, highlighting the steady improvement Reid applauded throughout the tournament.

Puerto Rico’s Sofia Guadalupe Sanchez Solo captured the division with a winning total of 237.

Jamaica’s other newcomers also enjoyed breakthrough performances.

Jaleel Eccleston finished ninth in the Boys’ 13-and-Under division with a total of 253, while Mark Schnoor placed 13th with 268. Both golfers recorded personal-best tournament scores during the three-day event.

Alejandro Balbuena won the division with a score of 219.

Solid performances across the squad

Kingston Burke produced one of Jamaica’s most consistent campaigns in the Girls’ 18-and-under category, carding rounds of 85, 85 and 84 to finish sixth with a total of 254. Puerto Rico’s Sofia Andrea Rivera captured the title with an even-par 216.

In the Girls’ 15-and-under division, Alessandra Coe finished seventh on 260, while Francesca Burke placed 11th after totaling 268. Darina Betchart secured the championship with 230.

Shasa Redlefsen represented Jamaica in the Boys’ 15-and-under competition, rebounding from an opening-round 89 with consecutive rounds of 78 to close on 245 and finish 11th overall. Fernando Javier Leduc Lopez claimed top honors with an even-par 216 following rounds of 70, 72 and 74.

Puerto Rico retains regional crown

Puerto Rico once again demonstrated its regional dominance by successfully defending the overall team championship with 153.5 points.

Jamaica accumulated 58 points to finish fifth overall, but the numbers told only part of the story. With most players lowering their scores as the championship progressed, and all three newcomers achieving personal-best performances, the tournament offered encouraging evidence that Jamaica’s next generation of golfers is moving in the right direction.

For Reid and Cunningham, the focus now shifts from reflecting on progress to accelerating development, with plans already underway to resume training immediately in hopes of building a deeper, stronger squad capable of challenging for podium finishes in future Caribbean championships.