Tym Glaser, Associate Editor - Sport
Fabian Campbell drives during day three of the Caribbean Amateur Golf Championship trials at Cinnamon Hill, Rosehall, St. James, on Sunday. - CLAUDINE HOUSEN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
MONTEGO BAY:
YOUNG FABIAN Campbell thrust his name to the forefront of local amateur golf yesterday when he won the men's section on the final day of trials to select Jamaica's team to this year's Caribbean Amateur Golf Championships (CAGC).
Trailing seasoned campaigner Owen Samuda by three strokes going into round four at the Cinnamon Hill course in Rose Hall, Campbell shot the day's equal best score of two-over 73 to clinch the honours from Samuda, who finished with a sluggish 80.
The 20-year-old's round would have been even more impressive but for a double bogey at the par-five final hole.
Campbell's gross score of 291 (69-74-75-73) makes him a certainty for the prestigious Hoerman Cup team, along with fellow automatic qualifier Samuda (72-74-75-80-295) and Michael Scott (76-72-75-77- 300).
On trials form, the final two berths on the team will be chosen from Narada Black (gross 310), Xavier Rose (312), Gifford Wilmot (315), Carl Bruce (316) and Wayne Chai-chong (317), who also shot a 73 yesterday.
However, the day and trials firmly belonged to the modest youngster from Cassava Piece in Kingston.
"Today I just tried to go out and enjoy myself because I had never played with two great golfers like them before," Campbell said of playing partners Samuda and Scott.
NERVOUS
"I was a bit nervous on the first day (Sunday) playing with them but today I just said to myself 'go out and enjoy it'," he said.
"These guys are really great. They show you how to use your head over your muscles. My whole thing (at the start of the trials) was trying to be No. 1. It was an enjoyable four days but now I have to practice and practice for the CAGC," he said.
Samuda was extremely impressed by his young compatriot.
"He is an excellent player," he said. "He has a lot of patience and if he hits a bad shot he doesn't get mad with himself. I also like the way he strikes the ball.
"I learnt something from him - he is a lot more patient than me. He will be a fine teammate."
In the women's section, each of the four competitors recorded their best rounds but none neared par.
Veteran Maggie Lyn had the day's best score for George Teale trialists with a six-over 77 which included a 50-foot birdie putt on the par-four 16th. Jodi Barrow matched her opening day 78, Leiza Blakeley carded a 79 and Michiko Asonuma's 81 was her best round by seven strokes.
In the final analysis, Barrow (78-83-80-78-319) won the section, followed by Blakeley (86-81-92-79-338) and Asonuma (88-92-90-81-351). Lyn did not play Good Friday's opening day. Her three-round total was 248 (80-91-77).
CLEAR FAVOURITE
In the race for the Ramon Baez Figueroa team, Keith Stein is the clear favourite for one of the two berths after shooting a three-over 74 yesterday for a gross of 303 (71-77-81-74). His playing partner for the four days, Philip Prendergast, shot 78 yesterday for total of 314 (77-79-80-78) whilst battling a wrist injury.
The senior section continued to be a romp for John Smith as he all but sealed his place on the two-man Francis and Steele Perkins team with a 31-stroke trouncing of his nearest opponent, Lincoln Williams.
Smith's round of 77 yesterday was not inspiring, but his gross of 307 (75-80-75-77) showed he was a class above in the section and the only other automatic qualifier from the trials. Williams finished with a gross score of 338 (81-88-84-85), one ahead of Larry Bailey (82-90-83-84-339).
In the super seniors, Dennis Atkinson (77-78-82-81-318) and Harris 'Jolly' Johnson (74-84-76-90-324) were the most impressive trialists.
The Jamaica Golf Association's (JGA) selection committee is expected to meet in June to decide which players will represent the island at the 50th anniversary of the CAGC at Cinnamon Hill.
Top guns dominate Classic
AS EXPECTED, the national golf trialists collected most of the booty on Sunday evening at the completion of the Jablum Cinnamon Hill Easter Classic.
The 36-hole event which ran concurrently with the Caribbean Amateur Golf Championship (CAGC) trials at the Rose Hall course saw the leading male and female players, Owen Samuda and Jodi Barrow, clinch the overall gross prizes in their sections.
Samuda (146) survived strong challenges from likely Hoerman Cup teammates Michael Scott (147) and Fabian Campbell (149), while Barrow (163) finished comfortably ahead of Maggie Lyn (171) and Leiza Blakeley (173). The other women's trialist, Michiko Asonuma (182), won the overall net prize.
STRONG FINISH
The men's net was claimed by Sean Morris (144) who just held off a strong finish from fast-charging non-trialist Greg Wright (145) whose even-par 71 on Sunday was the day's best score.
The men's seniors gross section went to runaway trials leader John Smith (155) ahead of Lincoln Williams (165), while the net prize was won by Opeton Marshall (147) with Larry Bailey (149) second.
Another trials outsider, Hansel Williams (156), clinched the super seniors gross prize by four strokes over Jolly Johnson (160) while former Jamaica Golf Association (JGA) president Ossie Lee (138) cruised to the net title ahead of Rose Hall's Jimmy Wright (149).
Prizes included crystal bowls, coffee grinders, platters, glasses and Yes Golf gift vouchers.
- T.G.
