Defending champion Dinesh Jackree led the way on day one of the Republic Bank-sponsored Caribbean Junior Golf Open at the St Andrew's Golf Course, Moka, Maraval, yesterday. Jackree, competing in the boys 16-17 age category, shot a 72 gross and has a one stroke over Ross Cabral, who shot a fine 73. Wan Ju Lee a national player follows in third with his 75.
There will be a new champion in the girls'16-17 girls age-group as Christina Ferreira, two time champion, is now too old. Sabrina Chan leads the way with a 98 from Barbados' Tommi-Ann Grant, who shot a 99.
Liam Bryden, with a 79, leads the boys 14-15 category, followed by James Arandia who shot an 80. Varun Singh is in third place with an 83. Sol Joanni, from the Leewards golf club, had to be disqualified as he unfortunately signed an incorrect card.
In the girls 14-15 category, another close battle is developing between Ana Ferreira, who shot an 82 and Sabrina Mitchell, who had 83. Kei Harris from Jamaica is in third place after her score 87.
The boys 11-13 category is led by two Jamaicans, Justin Burrows had a great round of 73 and is followed by Jack Stein who shot 78. Dominican Republic's Tony Kim shot 84 and Iz Hustler is in fourth with 85.
The girls 11-13 division seems to have turned into a two way battle between Yae Eun Kim with a 81 and Serena Mackenzie who shot 82. The highlight of the day was a hole in one on the 5th hole by Daronhil Mauricette
A total of 112 juniors are competing in the event with four players each from Jamaica, Dominican Republic and Barbados and six from St Lucia. Today marks the start of a new tournament the Trinidad Cup, which is a 36 hole tournament for juniors who are ten and under.
This year marks the 13th consecutive year of sponsorship by Republic Bank and the fourth in successive years as the Republic Bank Caribbean Junior Open Golf Championships. The tournament is hosted and facilitated by the T&T Golf Association.