Derrick Johnson (right), director of Superior Parts Limited, hands over his company's sponsorship bags to members of Jamaica's junior golf team, now preparing for the Caribbean Amateur Golf Junior Championships. The presentation took place yesterday following the launch of this year's competition at the Cable and Wireless Golf Academy. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

Jason Lopez, coach of Jamaica's junior golf team, said yesterday he is confident that the hosts can win this year's Caribbean Amateur Junior Championships, which will be held at the Cinnamon Hill Golf Course in Montego Bay, July 5-10.

"I do think that we can win this tournament," Lopez told The Gleaner in an exclusive interview, following the launch of this year's competition at the Cable and Wireless Golf Club yesterday.

"The bigger countries like Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Trinidad and Tobago are the ones that have been beating us, but I think that we have a lot more depth in our team, which makes us a lot better," he said.

Optimistic

The Jamaicans, who have never won the tournament before, finished fourth in last year's championship, which was held in Cayman Islands.

"I think that we can beat those guys because I don't see any reasons why we can't do it. I looked at their players last year very closely and they don't have anything on us," Lopez said.

The competition will tee off on Tuesday, July 7, and end on July 9 in the 54-hole championship, with competitors vying to top the leaderboard for the team trophy and six age-group trophies, three for girls and three for boys. The teams will compete in three categories: Under-13 boys and girls, 14-15 boys and girls and 16-17 boys and girls.

"These players are as good as anybody and it is just a matter of putting the pieces together, making them think well on the golf course by making good decisions and let their abilities comes out," Lopez said.

Excited players

Lopez

Lopez added that the team's preparations have been going well and the players are very excited and looking forward to the championship.

"The kids have responded well to the programmes and everybody is showing on time, ready to practise, and by the time the tournament rolls around we should be fully prepared," he said.

"Our expectations are high because the real focus of the training is to get the players familiar with the course, and I think they will do very well."

The team will be captained by Jonathan Newnham, who is down to compete in the 14-15 section along with Ian Facey, William Knibbs and Zachary Chong. The Under-13 boys are Oshane Hayer, Michael Wilmott and Dwight Moulton.

The Under-13 girls are Danielle Morris and Jayda Thompson. Vitorria Marley and Shaneil McLoud are the girls in the 16-17-year-old group.