Zandre Roye and the Jamaica Golf Association (JGA) president Jodi Munn-Barrow took home the top titles at the Easter Jamboree golf tournament, which was held at the Upton Golf Club in St Ann during the past weekend.

The par-71 golf course, which can be challenging, was given the thumbs-up by the big field, which travelled from right across the island for the Easter Jamboree. The Upton Golf Course is known for being well prepared for competition and is heavily used by visitors to that section of the island. The Jamboree has been held at that particular venue for several years.

Former national golf champion Zandre Roye and another former champion Oshae Haye tied for two over 73 at the end of the first round. The battle between the two golfers on their home ground continued into the second round, but Roye came out the winner by just one stroke after closing the tournament on five over par 147. He scored three over par in the second round, while Haye scored four over par 75 for a combined score of 148 to place second.

Third place in the Men & Men Senior 0-6 category went to Delroy Johnson, who had scores of 77 and 73 for 150 overall.

Roye credited his familiarity with the course as a contributory factor for winning the tournament. “I had a successful week. I haven’t been practising as much as I’d like, but Upton being my home course, I know my way around that course pretty well, and I used that to my advantage. Got off to a pretty good start the first day. The middle of the round was kind of shaky, but I held it off in the end to finish at two over par. Two over par 73 on the first day, tied for the lead going into the second round. I knew what I had to do, just stay patient, take it one step at a time, and see where the chips fall at the end of the day, and luckily the cards were dealt in my favour.”

He went on to say that he was “overall happy with the win. The golf course was in fantastic condition. Big up to the entire team at the Upton Golf Club, they really did a fantastic job getting the course prepared, and (to) JGA for keeping a wonderful tournament.”

Munn-Barrow has continued her string of excellent performances after carding two good rounds of 74 in each round for an overall score of four over par 148. Her first round triple bogey on hole number one was only a temporary setback as she posted three birdies and two bogeys for just two over par in the round. The second round was another good one, which included two birdies and four bogeys for another two over par 74.

“I was very pleased with my play this weekend. I was fairly consistent, I didn’t get myself in any trouble, and it was just nice to have another good tournament weekend coming off of the Constant Spring Classic. As the JGA president, I was very happy with the turnout over the weekend of the number of players, and the competition was very strong, especially in the Men’s 0-6 category,” said Munn-Barrow.

She was already looking ahead to the next event on the JGA calendar, “so we’re looking forward to our next event, which will be our National Amateur Championships in May”.

The top three in the Men & Men Senior 7-12 were Dr Carl Bruce 161, Elvis Dinham 170 and Philip Gooden 174.

Former JGA president Wayne Chai Chong 160 copped first place in the Men Super Senior 0-12 category, while Dorrel Allen and Mike Gleichman with scores of 162 each tied for second place.

The Masters category went to Richard Grant, 160. Dale Wanliss was six shots behind in second place on 166, while Philip Wilson 175, was further back in third place.

The Sports Development Foundation was on board to assist the Jamaica Golf Association with the cost to stage the Easter Jamboree.