Bloomfield JAMAICA's Hoerman Cup team played its best round of the Caribbean Amateur Golf Championships (CAGC) during yesterday's penultimate tour of the Royal Westmoreland course in Barbados but still surrendered ground to leaders Puerto Rico.
In a day which would safely define the term 'bitter-sweet', Jamaica's best four scores totalled 291 which was good enough to advance the team to second with a gross of 892 but not sufficient to close the gap on the Puerto Ricans whose 289 gave them a 12-stroke break over second-placed Jamaica going into today's final round of the regional amateur championship.
"It's really tough when you shoot 291 and still lose ground," national captain Wayne ChaiChong said yesterday.
Johnny Bloomfield, the team's premier player who studies at the University of South Carolina, shot a three-under 69 to spearhead the team's total. Jason Lopez (73), John Smith (74) and Mike Gleichman (75) provided superb support but not enough to haul in the Puerto Ricans led by Raul Rivera, who had a day's best 68, and Mauricio Munoz (72).
"John (Bloomfield) went out of bounds and three putted twice, otherwise he would have had a great score," ChaiChong said. "I am not writing off our chances of catching Puerto Rico tomorrow, but it will be tough," he said.
Jamaica all but sealed victory in the women's George Teale Trophy competition courtesy of an even-par 72 from Jodi Munn yesterday. Backed by youngster Martina MooYoung's 80, the island boasts a near impregnable 19-stroke lead over the Bahamas: 467-486.
The senior men's competitions are proving Jamaica's Achilles heel in its bid for overall honours as the Seniors (Francis Steele Perkins) are languishing in sixth position with a gross of 488, 35 behind leaders Trinidad and Tobago and the Two Ball Better Ball SuperSeniors (232) are tied for seventh, well back of Puerto Rico (207).
Individually, Munn (228) holds a seven-stroke lead over the Organisation of East Caribbean States' (OECS) Kimesha Anthony in the women's section while Bloomfield (217) is three shots behind the OECS's Trevor Levine.
By Tym Glaser
Associate Editor - Sport
