Barbados Junior International Golf Championships 2020
December 11th – 13th
The Barbados Junior International Golf Championships 2020 got underway at Barbados Golf Club this past weekend.
The 54-hole event attracted a field of seventeen junior golfers, 14 boys and 3 girls ranging between the ages of 10 to 19 years old. The BJIGC was originally scheduled to be hosted by Barbados Golf Club in April but had to be postponed due the Covid-19 pandemic.
As a result of the pandemic the national junior championship did not attracted any entries from overseas. Nevertheless, the field, although small, was very strong. National players Iz Hustler, Xzavier Wiggins and Emily Odwin (who represented Barbados in the Pan Am Games in Peru in 2019) have entered in the 16-19 age category.
Day 1:
Xzavier was the only player to break par on the first day, carding a one under par, 71.
Emily Odwin was close behind his heels with an even par score of 72. Iz Hustler had a disappointing day, finishing on 81, 10 shots behind the first day leader, Wiggins. Nicholas Phillips, who is emerging as a very fine player, scored 80 to finish in third position.
In the 13-15 age category, the competition is extremely close. There are four players within 5 shots of each other. Gordon Chow closed with an 88 to take a slim lead over Paul McConnie and Dominic Toppin who both completed their 18 holes in 90. Chris Jackman is not far behind the leaders with a score of 93.
Perhaps the outstanding round of the day came from 12 years old Lenny Jansen. Lenny scored 41 from the Red Tees to take the lead in the boy and girls 10-12 age category. Joshua Sambrano finished on 51, while Josh Kent played the 9 holes in 52.
Day 2:
The leaders in the 16-19 age category ended the second day on 146, two over par. Emily Odwin, who was one stroke behind the overnight leader, Xzavier Wiggins, pulled level with a two over par 74 to Wiggins’ 75. As expected, Iz Hustler improved from his first day score of 81 with a steady 73 to move into third place. Nicholas Phillips again showed how much he is improving by recording a score of 76 to back up his 80 on day 1. Sixteen year old William Jacobsen, hailing from California, but resident on the island, stormed back from an 84 yesterday. He was 10 strokes better, scoring an excellent 74.
In the 13-15 age category the competition remained extremely tight. Gordon Chow, after a shaky start, pulled his game together to maintain a two stroke lead over Paul McConnie. One stroke further back in third was Dominic Toppin, who is showing that his hard work on the practice range is beginning to pay off on the course.
Once again, Lenny Jansen proved that he was one of the most improved junior golfers on the island. Playing from the Red Tees for the first time, he once again played the front nine in 41, 5 over par – an absolutely brilliant performance. In fact, this age group had been really impressive with the three competitors turning in sterling performances. Joshua Sambrano, only 10 years old, scored 48 today and Josh Kent finished on 51. This is the first time that these young golfers have played over the Red Tees distance.
Day 3:
Emily Odwin’s last day score of 73 was good enough to clinch the top honors of this year’s event.
Odwin completed her round with two birdies to pass her nearest rival, Xzavier Wiggins, who finished on 76. Odwin was three over par for the tournament with scores of 72, 74 and 73. In third place was Iz Hustler who carded two 73’s on the second and third rounds but couldn’t make up enough ground to threaten the winner after an uncharacteristic first round of 81.
Gordon Chow, who was recognized as the “Most Improved Junior Golfer in 2020”, easily won the 13-15 age category.
He played consistently well to record an 84 on day 3 to extend his lead over Paul McConnie who finished on 85. Dominic Toppin, voted “The Most Enthusiastic Junior Golfer 2020” earned thirdplace.
One of the stars of the BJIGC was Lenny Jansen who won the 10-12 age category. This age category played from the Red Tees for the first time and Lenny was spectacular over the nine holes every day, scoring 41, 41 and 40 to win his age category in grand style. Joshua Sambrano edged out Josh Kent by two stokes to take second place.
Six juniors earned annual membership scholarships to the Barbados Golf Club for 2021. These scholarships are sponsored by the Barbados Golf Association and the Barbados Golf Club. The players who were awarded scholarships were Lenny Jansen, Brianna Prescod, Gordon Chow, Dominic Toppin, Xzavier Wiggins and Emily Odwin.
Congratulations, and well done to all.