The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas Golf Federation’s Driving Range at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex was once again buzzing with activity as 99 golfers participated in the government primary schools’ section of the National Schools Golf Championships.

Antonio Hernandez and Beyoncé Knowles, both of Eva Hilton Primary School, Janae Philips of Gavin Tynes Primary and Zachary Joseph of Claridge Primary emerged as the divisional winners at the end of Tuesday’s competition.

New Providence Public Primary Schools Sports Association president Latoya Bain-Sturrup said she was impressed with what she saw across the board in the tournament hosted by the Ministry of Education.

“It’s historic because it’s the first that our kids are competing in golf and they are excited and we’re doing well,” she said. “The camaraderie, the sportsmanship is very good.

“We’ve been waiting on something like this because we haven’t competed in over a year because of the pandemic. So this is excellent.”

Tournament Director Georgette Rolle-Harris said the scores were pretty good from the golfers.

“We saw some pretty good scores and everyone was excited and everyone made their tee times,” she pointed out. “They walked it through, walking and playing through nine holes.

“I guess a lot of them will have different prospective as well about the game of golf because for the past few weeks, about 80 percent of them were out here practicing their game.”

Zachary Joseph, a fifth grader at Claridge Primary, has been playing for the past two months to get ready for the tournament.

“I feel good. It’s my first tournament,” said the 11-year-old. “The competition was easy. Nothing I couldn’t handle. I went through the eighth hole and avoided hitting into the water.”

Cayden George, a sixth-grader at Gavin Tynes Primary, spent the past few weeks preparing for the tournament. However, the 10-year-old was a little disappointed in the outcome.

“I’m a little depressed, but I did good,” he said. “My mom (Wendy Cooper) say you win some and you lose some, so I just have to get over this. I like this sport because it’s easy to get a scholarship.

“I’s a little expensive, but it’s a good sport to be involved in.”

Damarion Ellis, a sixth grader at Gavin Tynes, said it was good.

“I learn how to play,” said the 11-year-old. “I just need to work on my putting.”

Anthony Saunders, an 11-year-old from CW Sawyer Primary School, said he’s been playing for five to six months.

“I tried my best. That’s all that mattered,” he said. “They gave me a sticker for Member of the Month, so that was good. I hope to continue in the sport.”

And Joel Mullings, a 10-year-old fifth grader at Gavin Tynes Primary, has only been playing for one month, but he enjoyed it.

“I got to do some new stuff and I’m getting better at it,” he insisted. “My performance was good. I want to continue in the sport.”

Today, Rolle-Harris said the competition is expected to be extremely keen when the government junior and senior high school teams come out to participate.

On Thursday, the private junior and high school teams will compete when more of the veteran players, many of whom are apart of Rolle-Harris’ Fourteenth Clubs Golf Academy, will be in action.

The tournament will close out on Friday when the top five schools and the top individual players will compete in the finals in all divisions.

“We will see the best of the best out here,” Rolle-Harris proclaimed. “Friday will be a long day as we see over 100 golfers compete for bragging rights.”

Top individual results from the public schools qualifying round on Tuesday are as follows:

Lower Primary Boys

1. Antonio Hernandez, Eva Hilton Primary with a gross of 60; 2. Yelisey Smith, Eva Hilton Primary with gross of 62; 3. Dwight Charlow, Cleveland Eneas Primary with gross of 71.

Lower Primary Girls

1. Janae Philips, Gavin Tynes Primary with gross of 57; 2. Brenaya Eva Hilton Primary with gross of 64; 3. Ri’Annah Hanna, Eva Hilton Primary with gross of 68; 4. Kasginae Knowles, Gavin Tynes Primary with gross of 69; 5. Janasia Robinson, CW Sawyer with gross of 70; 5. Brenae Knowles, CW Sawyer with gross of 70.

Upper Primary Boys

1. Zachary Joseph, Claridge Primary with gross of 45; 2. Mario Rolle, Sandilands Primary with gross of 50; 3. Micah Charles, Cleveland Eneas Primary with gross of 51; 4. Damarion Ellis, Gavin Tynes Primary with gross of 52; 5. Weston Young, CW Sawyer with gross of 53.

Upper Primary Girls

1 Beyoncé Knowles, Eva Hilton Primary with gross of 53; 2, Tatum Adderley, EP Roberts Primary with gross of 54; Caitlin McWilliam, Eva Hilton Primary with gross of 55; 3. Aquenisha Norelus, CW Sawyer with gross of 55; 5. Aiyanna Hernandez, Eva Hilton Primary with gross of 56; 5. Maddison Carroll, Sandilands Primary with gross of 56; Enihya Eaulin, Claridge Primary with gross of 56; 5. Cianna McWilliam, Eva Hilton Primary with gross of 56.