Tryall course ready despite Rafael rains

DESPITE HEAVY rains from Tropical Storm Rafael over the past couple of days, it is all systems go for the 57th staging of the Jamaica Open Golf Championship, which will tee off today at 8 a.m. at the picturesque Tryall Golf Club in Hanover.

With six to seven inches of rainfall over the past days, the course is softer than usual, which the director of golf at Tryall, Ewan Peebles, believes will influence players’ strategies.

“The course is soft underfoot and not as fast and firm as we would like,” Peebles explained.

“The golf course is in good shape, so I expect the golfers to play their approach shots more aggressively, which effectively makes the fairways wider due to the lack of bounce. However, with sunshine gracing the pro-am event on Saturday, conditions should improve as the tournament progresses.”

Last year’s winning score was seven under par, but Peebles predicts that the softer course may yield even lower scores this time.

“I expect eight to 10 under par to win the 54-hole championship,” he noted, adding a hint of anticipation to the showdown ahead.

Among the notable competitors returning to Tryall is defending champion Andrew Arft of the United States, who expressed confidence after a recent practice session.

“I feel good and I’m glad to be back here. I played a couple of holes and got adjusted to my caddy once again, and the approach this year is to hit the fairways and the greens and make putts.”

Arft will be joined by fellow American Ryan Linton, the UK’s Marcus Mohr, France’s Pierre Viallaneix, Australia’s Brody Harbinson, and Uganda’s Joshua Seale, all aiming for a shot at the title and the US$20,000 first prize.

The tournament line-up features 37 professionals alongside 15 amateurs, three senior professionals, and 12 senior amateurs. The amateur field is stacked with talent, including defending amateur champion Sean Morris, Justin Burrowes, and Zandre Roye, who are all expected to put up a strong fight with competition coming from players from the United States, Canada, and Trinidad and Tobago.