Rose pips Campbell for crown

Jermaine Lannaman, Freelance Writer

Xavier Rose recorded a nail-biting come-from-behind one-stroke win over main rival, Fabian Campbell, to capture the men's title of the National Amateur Golf Championships at the Caymanas Golf and Country Club yesterday.

In what was a close and exciting finish, Rose, who trailed Campbell 70-71 on the 72-par course after Friday's opening day, won the championships after carding 147, one less than Campbell, and Paul Thompson who shot 151 to finish third. Rory Jardine and Mark Blakely, who scored 140 and 143, rounded off the top five.

In other results, Jodi Munn-Barrow with a score of 150 topped the Female Division and Homar Dayes with a 154 took home the men's Super Senior category ahead of Fred Sutherland, 156, and Gordon Hutchinson, who netted 142.

Men's Senior category

In the men's Senior 13-14 segment, Michael Bradford, with a 175, walked away with the title ahead of Teddy Richards, who netted a 155, while John Smith 156, Stephen Change 165, and Mike Richards, 152 (net), finished one, two, three, respectively, in the men's Senior 0-12 category.

The men's Senior (17-24) and 9-16 went to Clifton Johnson, 192, and Greg Chong, 159, respectively.

With the inclement weather affecting Saturday's second day, the organisers were forced to reduce the holes from 54 to 36. This presented Rose and Campbell a good opportunity to expose their skills, with the former carding a 39 on the front nine, and Campbell a 43.

It was, however, a different case on the back nine with Campbell fearing a little better with a 35 to Rose's 37. However, in the end it was not enough as Rose, who expressed delight after the encounter, held on for the title.

Good golf

"The tournament went well despite the weather," said David Mais, director of the championships. "There was some good golf on Friday when a number of players played some good shots and putted well; however, the weather came on Saturday and made the course difficult thereafter.

"But all in all it was good, with my only concern being how the players now prepare themselves for the Caribbean Champion-ships, as based on how most of them performed, they will have to make significant improvements if we are to win," he added.

The Caribbean Amateur Golf Champion-ships (CAGC) will be held in the Cayman Islands from August 3-10. Eleven of Jamaica's 14 confirmed team members for the CAGC participated in the championships. Jonathan Newman and Vittoria Marley, who are the youngest male and female to represent Jamaica at the senior level, were missing from the championships due to participation in the Junior British Open.

Jamaica last won the CAGC in 1996.