Justin Burrowes and Jodi Munn-Barrow successfully defended their titles at the Caymanas Golf Classic at the Caymanas Golf Course in St. Catherine this past weekend.

Playing 54 holes in a specially approved format over the two days shot scores of 69 and 71. He then shot a 72 for an overall three-round score of 212 for a commanding win by 18 strokes ahead of runner-up William Knibbs.

Meanwhile, in the Ladies 0-6 section, Munn-Barrow played 36 holes over the same period, scoring 76 and 74 for a total of 150.

Burrowes carded 11 birdies and an eagle on the first hole of the third round but it also shot nine bogeys two of which came on the final two holes of the tournament.

"It was certainly a test of fitness. It was long. It was very long. I think yesterday it was seven hours,” Burrowes said.

“Today (Sunday) it was something up there again so it was a test of patience (and) fitness. It was very hot, very windy. The course was playing very difficult because it was so firm. I tried to play every shot to the best of my ability and it worked out in the end."

He endorsed the format which is designed help to help the local golfers to gain world raking points as more local WAGR tournaments are played locally.

Knibbs shot scores of 79, 79 and par 72 for a combined score of 230 and finished two shots ahead of Sean Morris. Zandre Roye (239) and Wayne Chai Chong 240 rounded out the top five.

Among the ladies, Diane Hudson 180 (92, 88) took the Ladies 13 and over category ahead of Susan White 203 (100, 103).

William Lee was the only golfer in the Men & Men Senior 0-6 category. He carded 79 and 80 for 15 over par 159.

Bruce Levy 167 (85, 82) topped the Men & Men Senior 7-12 section and was one shot ahead of second place Spencer Chung 168 (77, 91) while Nigel Davey 181 (88, 93) placed third.

The top three in the Men & Men Senior 13-24 were Damion Anderson 189, Aubyn Ferguson 192 and Courtney Cephas who also posted 192.

Mike Boyd 148 (77, 71) won the Men Super Senior 0-12 category by five strokes ahead of Mike Gleichman 153 (87, 75) while Robert Chin 154 (79,75) was third.

George Wright (191) copped the Men Super Senior 12-24 category while Linval Green 208 was second.

Dave Lyn 164 and Philip Wilson 168 were first and second in the Masters category.

Jerome Thomas (182) was first in the Boys 18 and Under section while Canada’s Davin Hogan won the Boys 14-15 age group. The Boys 11-13 section went to Kemari Morris 171 ahead of Cameron Coe 193.

Oshae Haye and Jodi Munn-Barrow headed into Monday’s final day the leaders of the three-day Jamaica Golf Association's National Amateur Golf Championship being played at the Sandals Golf & Country Club in St. Ann.

Justin Burrowes held off the challenge of 15 other golfers including to win the Men & Men Senior 0-6 category by 11 strokes at the Caymanas Golf Classic on Sunday.

Burrowes posted seven-under-par 209 for the tournament after opening with a 75 but then carded back-to-back 67s to take the victory.

Zandre Roye shot scores of 69, 77, 74 for an overall score of 220 that saw him finish in second place. Meanwhile, 15-year old Ryan Lue 226 (79, 71, 76) and William Knibbs 226 (71, 76, 79) were tied for third and Sean Morris 230 (75, 79, 76) finished fourth.

The winner said afterwards that he enjoyed getting the victory but it was not easy.

“It was good. It was definitely a very long two days. It didn't really feel like two days, it felt like a whole week but it’s golf and I love playing golf so it’s not that bad,” Burrowes said afterwards.

“It definitely is tough walking 27 holes in one day but I just tried to enjoy it as best as possible. The first 18 holes, I did not play as well as I wanted to. I hit a lot of good shots but I didn't quite just get it done and after the first 18, I kind of just got it together."

Orville Christie emerged the winner among the professionals. He shot an overall score of 230 to finish ahead of Sean Green and Alan Graham, respectively. Christie shot 72 in his opening round and followed up with 79 in each of the final two rounds. Green, meanwhile, shot scores of 82, 78 and 78 for 238 while Graham shot 247 (84, 79, 84).

Like Burrowes, Christie said the tournament was challenging.

 “! have not been in any shape recently to be playing on a golf course like this but I should say it was pretty much okay but not very good,” he said.

“It’s really tiring because this golf course is very hilly and also it’s very humid and hot so I had to keep rehydrating myself, not happy with the score but I am happy with the win," he said.

Jodi Munn Barrow won the Ladies’ 36-hole tournament carding 75 and 80 for a total score of 11 over par 155.

“Saturday was very good. I was very pleased with Saturday. Today was a little bit scrappy. I think maybe with everything going on I got a little bit distracted today but its a work in progress so I will keep working at it and look forward to the next event," she said.

As president of the golf association, Munn-Barrow said she was pleased with the turnout.

“Our first tournament for the year, we had a very good turnout for the two days, over 70 participants so we are very pleased with that,” he said.

“The twist is that we now have our 0-6 category, which is our elite amateur golfers playing for world amateur ranking points so we have gotten all of our tournaments approved by the body and so when our amateurs play they can get world amateur points and this augurs well because we can then possibly field a team to the world amateur team championships which you can't do if you don't have people who are ranked in the system, so all events for the 0-6 will now play over 54 holes, either three days or over 27 holes each day on a weekend depending on whether the golf course will accommodate us.

 "We are actually in discussion with the Jamaica professional golf association to include the professionals when we have our events so that they too can get more practice and that will help then to augur well going into the Jamaica Open at the end of the year."

The top players in the other categories were Men 0-6 Blue tees - Narada Black 151 (72, 79) and William Lee 159 (83, 76).

Men & Men Senior 7-12 - Quentin Hugh Sam 165 (84, 81); William Mahfood (166 (82, 84) and Philip Gooden 167 (85, 82).

Men & Men Senior 13-24 - Courtney Cephas 195 (95, 100), Delroy Anderson 196 (103, 93), Aubyn Ferguson 198 (102, 96).

Men Super Senior - 151 (74, 77), Wayne Chai Chong 153 (75, 78) and Mike Boyd 158 (83, 76). Ladies 13-24 - Diane Hudson 186 (94, 92), Deborah Newnham 197 (103, 94) and Krystal Chung (214 (109, 105).

Junior Boys 14-15 - Lek Drummond 181 (91, 90); Junior Boys 11-13 - Shasa Redlefsen 185 (93, 92), Kemari Morris 186 (95, 91) and Cameron Coe 204 (103, 101).

Junior Girls 14-15 - Mia Cunningham 191 (88, 103) and Anoushka Katri 192 (98, 94) and the Junior Girls 11-13 - Alessandra Coe 215 (108, 107).

The three-day Jamaica Open Golf Championship set to tee-off on Sunday, November 14, will be held in honour of the late Jasper Markland, it was announced at a Jamaica Golf Association press conference earlier this week.

Sean Morris and Dr Mark Newnham will defend Francis & Steele Perkins Trophy in Florida in October following their comprehensive victory in the Jamaica Golf Association's (JGA) Four-Ball Trials at Caymanas Golf Club on the weekend.

Jodi Munn-Barrow on Thursday was elected the first-ever female president of the 96-year-old Jamaica Golf Association and promised to expand the reach of the sport. Munn-Barrow replaces Peter Chin, who did not seek re-election after serving as president for the last decade.

Her executive includes Vice President Dr. Mark Newnham, Honorary Secretary Fred Sutherland, Assistant Secretary Bruce Lopez and Treasurer William Brown. Alison Reid is the junior golf chairperson while Dave Lyn, Michael Bradford, William Knibbs, Rowena Coe and Vikram Dhiman are committee members.

Munn-Barrow said she never dreamed of becoming president of the JGA which was formed in 1925.

"When I started my golfing career some 30-odd years ago, I never envisioned that I would ever take over the helm of this august body,” she said.

“I remember all of those who have done this before me and I have always looked up to them throughout my career.  I hope that I can make them proud as well as the members of the association and I look forward to working with all of the members in ensuring that the game of golf grows and continues to be very successful."

She said she wants to raise the profile of the sport so as to be able to attract international partnerships.

"I will endeavour to increase the optics of golf in Jamaica.  Some of the areas I would like to focus on include marketing Jamaica as a golfing destination through dialogue with the ministries of Sports and Tourism, reaching out again and having dialogue with the member clubs, trying to bring an AJGA (America Junior Golf Association) event to Jamaica thus lifting the image of our junior golf programme and also increasing the membership of the association by speaking with the presidents of other sporting bodies to try to get their members interested in golf as a second sport," she said.

Justin Burrowes extended his lead to 11 strokes on day three of the Alliance National Amateur Golf Championship on Saturday at the Caymanas Golf Club. He shot two under par 70 for a three-day total of 212 (73, 69, 70) and is poised to secure victory when play resumes at 7:30 today.

“Today (Saturday) was another pretty good day. (I) gave myself a lot of opportunities, which is really what I set out to do.  It didn't convert as much as I would have liked but still, all in all, I would say a lot more positives than negatives today,” said Burrowes, who started the day with a birdie and followed up with three more on holes 11, 12 and 15 while posting two bogeys on holes 14 and 18.

“In a good place to build on.  The course was definitely more inviting today with the softer conditions - no wind and no rain.  It was definitely more inviting. I played solid but I didn't hold enough putts today to go really deep so hopefully, I can build on today and do that tomorrow (Sunday)."

Meanwhile, defending champion William Knibbs posted his first under-par score of 70 but is still 11 strokes off the lead.  He has a combined score of 223 after posting 74 and 79 on days one and two, respectively.

 He expressed satisfaction with the round especially after day two, saying "After yesterday (Friday), I would say that it could have only gotten better today (Saturday) and obviously it was better. Two under but as with most of what I have done this week there were always shots that I felt that I could have done better with or putts that I could have made but I am just happy to have bounced back today."

 His scorecard showed one eagle, three birdies and three bogeys.

Dr Mark Newnham, who was in second place on day two, dropped to third after scoring six over par 78 for a three-day total of 228.

Mention must be made of 15-year old Aman Dhiman, who posted the lowest score of the championship so far, a four-under-par 68.  He sunk five birdies on holes 1, 2, 4, 7 and 16 before bogeying the 10^th hole.

The perennial ladies’ national champion Jodi Munn-Barrow, who led from day one is again the national champion.  The female championships ran over three days and she posted scores of 72, 77 and 74 for a total of 223 to be leagues ahead of second-place Samantha Azan who shot 82 on the final day for a total score of 251.  Third place went to Winni Lau.  She shot 91 for an overall score of 271.

 "Happy with my overall performance today (Saturday). (I) was able to focus and just play the holes as they came, played a shot at a time and happy to finish with two over,” she said.

“Seven over for the three days so I am pleased with the overall performance and happy once again I was able to become the national amateur champion."

The Ladies 13 - 24 category went to Valerie Grant 102 (308) followed by Suzan White 108 (324).

The Men 7-12 category had two golfers with scores of 86 for Thajae Richards for a total of 252 and who still leads Richard White, who shot 89 and now totals 279.

There is a new leader in the Men Senior 0-12 category with former Cricket West Indies president Dave Cameron 81 (245), ahead of Tony Allison 83 (245) in second and Vikram Dhuman 78 (245) in third.

The Men Super Senior 0-12 also has a new leader in Mike Boyd 74 (235), followed by George Hugh with an 82 (240) and the day-one leader, former JGA president Wayne Chai Chong shot 81 (240).

The final male category - Men Super Senior 13 and over, with one occupant - Desmond Brown scored 93 for a three-day total of 282.

The juniors who competed over two days which ended on Saturday saw Sebastian Azan copping the Boys 14-15 category with scores of 78 and 81 for a combined score of 159.  Ryan Lue took second spot after posting 82 and 79 (161) while Trey Williams was third 87, 79, (161).

Michael Lowe topped the Boys 16-17 category.  He had scores of 85 and 87 (172).  Zaniel Knight was second with scores of 91 and 89 (180) while Justin Wainwright 116 and 124 (240) was third.

Justin Burrowes shot a three-under-par score of 69 Friday to extend his lead to eight strokes on day two of the Alliance National Amateur Golf Championship at the Caymanas Golf Club.

Following his opening-round score of 73 on Thursday, Burrowes, the only golfer to post an under-par score so far in the championship, has a two-day score of 142.

Dr Mark Newnham is currently in second place following his second-round score of 74, for a combined score of 150. Newnham shot a 76 in the first round that had left him fourth on the leaderboard.

Meanwhile, defending champion William Knibbs is a further three strokes back after a particularly rough round.  He shot 79 to go along with his 74 on day one for a two-day total of 153, 11 strokes off the leader.

Burrowes believes consistency was key to his play on Friday.

“Today (Friday) was, I would say kind of more of the same as yesterday (Thursday).  I just felt like I made more putts today, definitely driving it well, hitting it well, doing all the parts of the game pretty well right now,” said Burrowes, who made three birdies on the front nine as well as two more on the back that were cancelled by two bogeys.

 “It was just about execution and today I went out and executed pretty well.  Still, something to build on, I still missed a few putts I thought I should have made but all in all the conditions today were pretty tough with the rain and the wind.  I felt like I managed it pretty well but still I know I left a couple out there and tomorrow (Saturday) that's what I am going go after."

Among the ladies, day one leader Jodi Munn-Barrow held her lead after shooting five over par 77 on day two.  Her round included three bogeys and a double bogey for a combined total of 149 (72 and 77). "Today was also another difficult day.  It started out being very hot and extremely windy and then the rains came.  We had to stop and then go back on the course so it was very difficult to maintain concentration,” she said.

“(The) course played tough again but overall pleased with my game. I felt like I kept it together well for the 18 holes even with the distractions that were there, so I am hoping I can do the same tomorrow and put up another good score."

Second place Samantha Azan shot 16 over for an 88 to close day two on 169.  She is followed by Winni Lau, who shot 90 on both days for a total score of 180.

Scores for the Ladies 13 - 24 category are Valerie Grant 105 (206) and Suzan White 110 (216).

The Men 7-12 category had two golfers with scores of 78 for Thajae Richards for a total of 166 who still leads Richard White, who shot 93 and now totals 190.

There is a new leader in the Men Senior 0-12 category with Tony Allison 80 (162) ahead of former Cricket West Indies president Dave Cameron 77 (164) in second and Vikram Dhuman 90 (170) copping the third spot.

The Men Super Senior 0-12 also has a new leader in George Hugh with a 76 (158).  The day one leader, former JGA president Wayne Chai Chong shot 80 (159), while Robert Chin 79 (160) is in third.

 The final male category - Men Super Senior 13 and over, with one occupant - Desmond Brown scored 92 for a two-day total of 189.

The golfers will tee off at 7:30 am on Saturday.

Justin Burrowes overcame three bogeys to shoot a one-over-par 73 and assume the early lead at the Alliance National Golf Championships at the Caymanas Golf Club on Thursday.

Burrowes also had three birdies and an eagle on the day that gave him a one-shot lead over William Knibbs. Owen Samuda had a 75 while Zandre Roye shot a 76 to be tied with Mark Newnham. Sean Morris and Shamar Wilson are both tied on 78.

Burrowes said he was happy with his first-round score even though he bogeyed the last two holes to end the round a stroke above par.

"Today was pretty good.  I knew that I had to post a good number to keep myself in the tournament which I felt like I did today,” he said.

“Didn't putt as well as I wanted to but there are still a lot of positives to build on going into the next three days.  I feel like I played well and there is a lot to build on and with the conditions being tough, it's always good to hit the ball well which I feel like I did today and I look forward to the next couple of days."

Meanwhile, many-time women’s champion Jodi Munn-Barrow led juniors Samantha Azan and Winni Lau with an even-par 72.  She was also pleased with the day's play.

"(I am) very happy with today's round, didn't make a lot of mistakes which was good because the course was playing very tough.  Conditions were hard, so overall happy, still have two more days to go so I have to focus on day two and day three so and hopefully the outcome will be good," she said.

In the Ladies 13 - 24 category, Valerie Grant had a score of 101 while Suzan White shot 106.

In the Men Senior 0-12 category, Vikram Dhuman leads with an 80 and is followed by Tony Allison (82), Nigel Davy (84) and Dave Cameron (87).

In the Men 7-12, Thajae Richards shot 88 while Richard White had 97.

The Men Super Senior 0-12 is led by former JGA president Wayne Chai Chong (79) and is followed by Teddy Alexander (80), Robert Chin (81), Stephen Chang (81) and Bert Tomlinson (82).

 Desmond Brown scored a 97.

The golfers will take to the Caymanas Golf Course at 7:30 am today for the second day of the championship.