Kates excited about Bobcat Classic win

GEORGE KATES, overall winner of the Jamaica Golf Association AmCham Bobcat Classic, said he is excited to have come out on top, especially given the fact that he was competing in his first tournament.

The Classic, which was played at Caymanas Golf Club on Sunday and featured 18 holes, attracted a number of the country's top players.

"It's my first tournament, therefore, I was pretty nervous coming in. But after the first couple (of) holes I got very comfortable because I realised I was scoring very well," said Kates.

"I am pretty excited about it (winning) and I plan to win some more," he added.

The tournament, which featured competition in three other categories, also had Rowena Cannor, Earl Manning and Matthew Smith emerging winners.

Cannor won the ladies section ahead of Bernadette Lynshue and Hazel Robinson; and Manning the senior and super senior segment ahead of Fred Suderon and Errol Smith.

The men's under-50 category was won by Smith ahead of Zakary Chong and Ben Bulls.

The tournament was scored as a modified stableford and had a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m.

Among the prizes awarded were trophies, tickets to London on Virgin Atlantic, weekends at Palmyra, Breezes, RIU, Hilton Rose Hall, Couples Resort, Ritz Carlton and Cinnamon Hill; HD Box, Canon Cameras, Blackberry phones, flat screen television and many other prizes provided by various sponsors.

Part proceeds from the event will be used to help fund the activities of two charities. They are Kind Hearts, which provides housing solutions for the destitute; and Grant's Pen Foundation, which built a functional community and medical centre in the area.

Bobcat, the title sponsor, is a member of the Stewart's Automotive Group. They sell small machines for construction and golf-course usage.

Other sponsors include NCB Capital Markets, Just Bet, Best Dressed Chicken, National Health Fund, Appleton, ADS, Columbus Communications, Super Lotto and Wata.