Roye and Issa reign again as National Senior Golf Trials champions
Key Points(5)
- The tournament pushed players beyond ordinary limits, with soaring temperatures and difficult wind conditions, particularly during the second round, forcing competitors to rely not only on skill but also patience, discipline, and mental strength.
- In the end, Roye and Issa successfully defended their titles, securing back-to-back victories at one of Jamaica’s most important national golf events.
- Roye finds his rhythm when it matters most Roye’s path to victory was anything but straightforward.
- After opening the tournament with a four-over-par 76, which placed him second after the first round, the defending champion slipped down the standings following a nine-over-par 81 in the second round.
- Entering the final day, he sat in sixth position and faced a difficult challenge if he was to retain his title.
The toughest moments often reveal the strongest competitors, and that was exactly the case at this year’s Jamaica Golf Association (JGA) National Senior Golf Trials, where Zandre Roye and Mattea Issa once again emerged as champions after three demanding days of competition at the Half Moon Golf Course in Montego Bay.
The tournament pushed players beyond ordinary limits, with soaring temperatures and difficult wind conditions, particularly during the second round, forcing competitors to rely not only on skill but also patience, discipline, and mental strength.
In the end, Roye and Issa successfully defended their titles, securing back-to-back victories at one of Jamaica’s most important national golf events.
Roye finds his rhythm when it matters most
Roye’s path to victory was anything but straightforward.
After opening the tournament with a four-over-par 76, which placed him second after the first round, the defending champion slipped down the standings following a nine-over-par 81 in the second round. Entering the final day, he sat in sixth position and faced a difficult challenge if he was to retain his title.
But the final round produced the performance he needed.
Roye delivered the lowest score of the final day, a one-over-par 73, climbing back up the leaderboard and finishing with an overall total of 14-over-par 230. His comeback secured a narrow one-shot victory.
Reflecting on the battle, Roye acknowledged the difficulty of the Half Moon layout and the importance of staying composed.
“It’s not an easy golf course. It’s one of the hardest golf courses on the island. I knew that if I just go out there, stay patient and shoot a good score I will be all right at the end of the day.”
Roye admitted the opening stretch of the final round was challenging, but he remained confident that opportunities would come.
“I went out, two over par on the front nine. Wasn’t really happy with that but I know I had some gettable holes coming up.”
That patience paid off as he found his form on the back nine.
“Got it to one under par on the back nine through 14, so one over par for the day and then the real golf starts on the last four finishing holes, which are probably the four hardest finishing holes on the island.”
The champion held firm through the closing stretch, playing the final four holes at even par to secure the title.
“I managed to play those holes even par coming in and secure the victory two years straight. So back-to-back, that’s a pretty good feeling to say I have won back-to-back national trials.”
The victory capped an impressive period for Roye, who had also captured the national amateur championship just weeks earlier.
“I won the national amateur championship just two weeks ago, I think two, three weeks ago, and to back it now with the national trials, it’s a pretty good feeling and I am happy with the result.”
Williams and Samuda push Roye to the limit
Roye’s victory was secured by the smallest of margins, with Trey Williams and Owen Samuda finishing just one stroke behind.
Both players entered the final round tied for fourth place but produced strong closing performances, each shooting 76 to finish jointly second on 15-over-par 231.
Their late surge ensured a dramatic finish at the top of the leaderboard.
Dr. Mark Newnham, who shared the lead after the second round, completed the tournament in fourth place with a total of 16-over-par 232.
Another second-round co-leader, Oshae Haye, recorded a final-round 79 to finish fifth on 233.
Opening-round leader Sean Morris ended the competition in sixth place after posting a final-round 78 for an overall score of 235.
Issa maintains women’s crown despite final-day challenge
In the women’s division, former national champion and long-time representative Mattea Issa once again showed her class and consistency.
Mattea Issa tee off in a recent golf tournament
Issa began strongly, recording back-to-back rounds of five-over-par 77 before facing a more difficult final day. Her closing-round 82 brought her tournament total to 20-over-par 236.
Despite the tougher final round, Issa remained the leading female competitor and repeated as champion after successfully navigating the demanding conditions.
Her performance added another major achievement to a career already marked by national representation and championship success.
Champions turn attention to Caribbean Championship
With the National Senior Golf Trials now complete, Roye and Issa will shift their focus to the next major challenge, the Caribbean Amateur Golf Championship in the Bahamas, scheduled for August 2 to 7.
After surviving the pressure, weather, and intensity of the Half Moon test, Jamaica’s two returning champions will head into the regional competition with confidence and momentum.
