Roye, Issa lead Jamaica’s charge for elusive Caribbean Amateur Golf title
Mattea Issa tee off in a recent golf tournament
Key Points(5)
- Jamaica has launched its bid for a breakthrough triumph at the Caribbean Amateur Golf Championship, with a seasoned team departing the island on Sunday for Nassau, Bahamas, where the region’s premier amateur golf competition gets underway this week.
- The championship will be contested at the Royal Blue Golf Course, with the Jamaican contingent scheduled for a practice round on Monday before the opening round tees off on Tuesday.
- After narrowly securing second place overall in last year’s championship, finishing just one point ahead of Barbados, the Jamaicans return with even bigger ambitions.
- Their objective is clear: capture the coveted Arthur Ziadie Country Trophy for the first time in the nation’s history.
- While the combined team finished as runners-up in 2025, Jamaica’s men placed third overall and the women secured fourth, providing a strong foundation for this year’s title challenge.
Jamaica has launched its bid for a breakthrough triumph at the Caribbean Amateur Golf Championship, with a seasoned team departing the island on Sunday for Nassau, Bahamas, where the region’s premier amateur golf competition gets underway this week.
The championship will be contested at the Royal Blue Golf Course, with the Jamaican contingent scheduled for a practice round on Monday before the opening round tees off on Tuesday.
After narrowly securing second place overall in last year’s championship, finishing just one point ahead of Barbados, the Jamaicans return with even bigger ambitions. Their objective is clear: capture the coveted Arthur Ziadie Country Trophy for the first time in the nation’s history.
While the combined team finished as runners-up in 2025, Jamaica’s men placed third overall and the women secured fourth, providing a strong foundation for this year’s title challenge.
National champions spearhead Jamaica’s campaign
Leading the men’s squad is reigning national champion Zandre Roye, who reinforced his credentials by finishing atop the championship qualifying trials.
Former national champion Oshae Haye also brings valuable experience after recently representing Jamaica at the CAC Games, where he finished 14th against strong regional opposition.
The remainder of the men’s lineup blends proven international experience with youthful talent. Multiple-time national representative Owen Samuda returns alongside Dr. Mark Newnham and Trey Williams, while Camden Purboo makes his second Caribbean Amateur Championship appearance after first representing Jamaica in 2025.
Williams enters the tournament as the youngest male member of the Jamaican delegation.
Issa headlines women’s title aspirations
The women’s team will be anchored by reigning national champion Mattea Issa, who arrives in excellent form following an impressive showing at the CAC Games.
Issa finished fifth after producing consistently strong rounds and climbing the leaderboard throughout the tournament, giving Jamaica added confidence ahead of this week’s championship.
She will be joined by Kingston Burke and Kiera Williams, both of whom met the team in the Bahamas for Monday’s practice session before the 54-hole, three-round competition began.
Williams is the youngest female golfer on Jamaica’s roster.
Reserves named as Jamaica targets regional success
Sean Morris and Aman Dhiman were selected as reserve players but did not travel with the team.
The Jamaica Golf Association has sent the squad off with its full support, confident the experienced blend of established champions and emerging talent can challenge the Caribbean’s best and potentially deliver Jamaica’s long-awaited first Caribbean Amateur Golf Championship title.
