This year, Jamaica will be hosting the historic Caribbean Amateur Golf Championships from July 26 through to July 31 at the Cinnamon Hill and Half Moon Golf Courses.

Approximately 120 golfers from nine Caribbean countries will be participating in the region’s most prestigious amateur event.

For the Hoerman Cup, teams of five amateur golfers are selected by the national golf organisation of the member country. The competition is individual stroke play with the best four scores to count each day.

For the Ramon Baez Trophy, teams of two amateur golfers are selected by the national golf organisation of the member country, who have attained the age of 35 or will have their 35th birthday in the calendar year of the championships. The competition is four-ball stroke play.

The Francis/Steele-Perkins Cup will see teams of two amateur golfers selected by the national golf organisation of the member country, who have attained the age of 50 or will have their 50th birthday in the calendar year of the championships. The competition is four-ball stroke play.

The Higgs & Higgs Trophy will have teams of two amateur golfers selected by the national golf organisation who are members of the CGA and who have attained the age of 60 or will have their 60th birthday in the calendar year of the championships. The competition is four ball stroke play.

The George Teale Cup will have teams of three amateur golfers who were female at birth selected by the national golf organisation of the member country. The competition is individual stroke play with the best two scores to count each day.

The Arthur Ziadie Trophy will be awarded to the country which has performed the best in the other championships overall. In each of the championships, the team will be awarded points based upon the daily ranking of its aggregate counting scores, as follows:

First – Points equal to the number of teams competing plus one

Second – Two points less than the leader

Third – Three points less than the leader

Fourth – Four points less than the leader

and so on, until the last competing team which will be awarded one point. The team with the most points in aggregate will win the trophy.

BIOS 2015

This tournament first started in 1957 with Jamaica and Trinidad competing in a match play format. Over the years, the event has evolved to include nine Caribbean nations. Among the participating countries are The Bahamas, Barbados, Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos Islands, the United States Virgin Islands and host country Jamaica.

The Jamaica team is comprised of individuals competing in several categories.

HOERMAN CUP

Ian Facey

At the age of eight, Ian’s father introduced him to the sport and since then he hasn’t looked back. Among his tournament wins are the 2009 FSGA Junior Patch Play Championship, 2010 Caribbean Amateur Junior Championship, 2012 NSU Guy Harvey Invitational and the 2015 Jamaican National Amateur Championship. He also participated in this year’s Latin America Amateur Championships and the World Amateur Golf Championships, as well as the Pan Am Games. He is an easy-going person, but an aggressive golfer who has now represented Jamaica at championship level three times.

William Knibbs

William is a personable athlete who has transitioned from the junior ranks to the senior team, on which he first played in 2012. He is enthusiastic about his game and is a team player of the highest order. His positive attitude and golfing skill will be of tremendous benefit to the Jamaican side.

Sean Morris

Sean took up the game of golf at the age of 30 after being encouraged by a professional golfer who thought he was a natural. Fiercely competitive, Sean is always working to improve his game and has participated in a number of international events, including the World Amateur Golf Championships in Japan. He has won at least six events in the last two years and brings that focus to this year’s CAGC.

Jonathan Newnham

Although young, Johnny is an experienced and talented golfer who has represented Jamaica many times in regional and international golf. He has won many events and most recently participated in the World Amateur Golf Championships in Japan and in the Latin America Amateur Golf Championship in Argentina.

Owen Samuda

Owen Samuda has represented Jamaica on many occasions in the Hoerman Cup division, and is a team player who is focused and dedicated to his game. He continues to play good golf and his experience makes him a major asset to the team.

MID AMATEURS – RAMON BAEZ TROPHY

Mark Newnham

Mark or ‘Doc’ takes his game seriously and has represented Jamaica on two occasions. His most memorable golfing moment is caddying for his son, Jonathan, at the Latin American Amateur Championship, making the cut and finishing strong. Doc has racked up several tournament wins over the years, including that of National Amateur Champion in 2014.

Gifford Wilmot

Gifford has been on several CAGC teams and plays golf more frequently than most, due to his affiliation with the Sandals Golf & Country Club. A quiet and unassuming golfer, Gifford’s experience in tournament play will bring value to the team.

SENIORS – FRANCIS & STEELE-PERKINS CUP

Radcliff Knibbs

An easy-going and tolerant person, Radcliff personifies patience and optimism. He has now represented Jamaica a total of 12 times and has an impressive string of tournament wins under his belt. He is a regular in Montego Bay and should play well in the tournament.

Keith Stein

Originally from Canada, Keith was introduced to the game at age six and caddied for his grandfather. He has represented Jamaica on many occasions since 1994 and is a dedicated student of the game. Among his memorable golfing moments are having won two play-offs to gain spots in US Mid-Amateurs. Keith looks forward to enjoying the championships on his home course.

HIGGS & HIGGS TROPHY

Peter Chin

This former national hockey representative now has a new role — as a member of the golf team. He won his category in the 2015 trials in keeping with his mantra of striving for consistency in all areas of the game and being the best he can be at the sport. A confident and ambitious player, Peter hopes to do Jamaica proud in this year’s tournament.

Easton Williams

This will be Easton’s second appearance on the Jamaican team. He is a quiet and pleasant golfer who is consistent and can be relied on to produce good scores. This dark horse came from behind in the National Amateur Golf Championships to capture the Super Senior title.

GEORGE TEALE TROPHY TEAM

Tiana Cruz

Tiana is a risk taker who likes to push the boundaries and spice up the game a bit. An avid student of the game, she has won four titles in the last two years. She has spent many hours on the golf course tagging along with her father and grandfather before taking up the game. This will be her sixth time representing Jamaica at golf.

Kei Harris

Kei has represented Jamaica in regional golf four times and six times on the international stage. She is a determined person who is passionate about golf. In recent times, she has had four tournament wins, including three charity events and the national junior trials. Kei will represent Jamaica well in these championships.

Madelyn Piccininni

Madelyn, who is cheerful by nature, is an optimistic golfer who was introduced to the game by her parents when she was 14. This will be her first time on the Jamaican team. She won the 2013 NCAA Fort Hays State Invitational in Scottsdale, AZ, and finished first in the national trials.

Robert Chin (Manager)

Bobby has been playing golf for 20 years and has represented Jamaica in three different sports, and made his debut in golf in the Ramon Baez competition in 2007. He has the distinction of having had four holes in one between April and October 2007. He has won many local senior events and has represented Jamaica a total of six times. His experience should serve the team well.