For the second consecutive year T & T has captured the Caribbean amateur Junior Golf Championships and brought home the coveted Hank James Trophy.

The 2005 National Junior Team was by far the strongest team Trinidad and Tobago has ever fielded with ten of the 14 players returning from 2004.
The experienced Shane Costelloe (Captain) and Diana Torry (Co-captain) led the 14 member team to a landslide victory at the 18th Caribbean Junior Golf Championships held at the Guavaberry Golf & Country Club in The Dominican Republic from July 4-8.

Leading the charge from the first day was 15 year old Ben Martin who shot 69, the lowest round of the tournament and the only sub par round, to secure first place early on. Shane Costelloe came in with a 75 which gave him a tie for the lead in the16-18 category. Diana Torry, Joshua Galt, Kelsey Lou Hing and Anneke Ward all secured second place finishes. As a result it was no surprise that Trinidad & Tobago amassed an amazing 51 out of a possible perfect 60. This gave team T&T a 6 point lead over the defending champions Puerto Rico, and the start we had all hoped for.

With the threat of a hurricane, the weather changed drastically on day two. Torrential rain, gusting winds and long delays, forced the scores from all the competitors to reflect the more challenging conditions. After disappointing scores of 81 and 92 on the first day from Simon Merry and Martine de Gannes respectively, they both made impressive comebacks to post the best rounds of their respective categories of 73 and 79 on day two, showing the field that we not only have talent but determination. Monifa Sealy with 45 also posted the best round in the girls 12 and under category for day two. Worthy of mention was Kyle Knaggs who remained focused throughout the stormy weather and picked up three strokes on his playing partners. Similarly Ben Martin held his own while his archrival Johnny Widmer of Cayman Islands, unable to cope with the conditions, fell apart. Our team was well prepared for the inclement weather conditions and this advantage proved more valuable than expected, for on day two Team T&T pulled further into the lead accumulating 48 points while Puerto Rico secured only 37. This gave Trinidad a cumulative total of 98 to lead Puerto Rico with 81. With just one more day to play we were now a clear 17 points ahead of Puerto Rico and unstoppable.

The last round of any golf tournament always proves to be the most interesting, and the 18th Caribbean Amateur Junior Championships was no exception. While Trinidad and Tobago held a commanding lead for the Hank James Trophy, the individual champions were being hotly contested in every category. The pressure of trying to win began to take its toll in the final round. Anneke Ward posted her highest round of the tournament - 49 and tied for second, but had to settle for the third place trophy in a count back, while Monifa had an uncharacteristic 51 in her final round, also causing her to slip back to fourth position, a respectable place for her first regional competition. Drama unfolded in the girl's 13-15 group when Martine de Gannes finished wit an 83 on the last day to snatch first place, a most remarkable comeback. Kelsey Lou Hing had a particularly bad day and unfortunately for her had to settle for fourth place, a very commendable finish for her first time as a national player, and exposure to this high level of competition. With first place out of sight for Diana Torry in the girls 16-18 category she dug in hard and fought for second. Both Diana and Lydia Benetiz of Puerto Rico played exceptional golf on the last day, crossing the 9th just 2 over. The battle continued throughout the back nine and came down to the final hole where Diana holed a 5 footer to secure 2nd place.

In the boys 12 & Under Simon, Proverbs of Barbados carded a 76 to hold on to first place, while Joshua Galt tried to catch Proverbs. Unfortunately his last day was not his best. Josh posted an 86 on the last day to win second place. Young Timmy Martin finished the tournament with a great round turning in his score card with a fabulous 78 last round and finishing third overall. In the boys 13 - 15 division Ben Martin emerged the overall winner. Ben continued to play stellar golf right through to the last day finishing with a 75. Ben took first place in the boy's 13-15 division over Johnny Widmer of Cayman Islands by 6 strokes. Ben's first place finish in the boys 13 - 15 category marks the first time Trinidad & Tobago has ever won this keenly contested division. Kyle Knaggs had an excellent tournament to finish in fourth place. Gen Charlett,also in the boys 13-15, finished in 11th spot. The spotlight was on the boy's 16 - 18 group where Shane Costelloe and Simon Merry were both going after first place against Scott McDougal of Bahamas and Nick Voss of Barbados. At the ninth hole all four boys were even and tension began to mount. Merry was first to finish the round and entered the club house with an excellent score of 75. Costelloe, Voss and McDougal were left. Costelloe birdied the 16th to come one stroke behind McDougal and tie Voss. Characteristic of Shane Costelloe he was not playing for second place, and instead of playing it safe decided to go for it. In a courageous effort he attempted to pick up some strokes on the par 5, 17th hole, but unfortunately it didn't work out and he slipped three back after a bogie. Costelloe just couldn't seem to make it happen and finished with another bogie on the 18th causing him to go 4 back and finish with a 76 tied or third with team mate Simon Merry.

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TRINDAD & TOBAGO JUNIORS BRING HOME THE TROPHIES
18th Caribbean Junior Amateur Golf Championships Dominican Republic 2005 (contin. from page 1)

In the end the string of success for T&T was applauded loud and long. The Junior Amateur Caribbean Golf Championships are really three competitions in one. Firstly th.ere is the Hank James Trophy for the best team. Then there are the Individual Trophies in each category Thirdly the boys16-18 and boys13- 15 compete to qualify for the World Amateur Team Championships. In all three competitions T&T excelled. In the team competition for the Hank James Trophy Trinidad & Tobago finished 22 points ahead of Puerto Pico in first place with 151.5 points over Puerto Rico who accumulated 129. According to Cesar Rivera of the CGA this was the largest victory in the history of the trophy

Overall Results in the Hank James Trophy
Trinidad & Tobago- 151.5 . Puerto Rico- 129 . Dominican Republic 110

In the individual categories Trinidad and Tobago had two 1st place finishes, three 2nd place finishes and three 3rd place finishes. The Caribbean Junior Amateur Golf Championships is the qualifier for the World Team Championships. The two best scores from each country are taken in the boys 13 - 15 category and bo 16 -18 and the country with the lowest aggregate score wins. Winning this qualifier allows Trinidad & Tobago to advance to the next leg where we will compete against Canada, Mexico, Central America and South America.The first two countries will then advance to Japan where the World Team Championships will take place in 2006. Next year the 19th Caribbean Amateur Junior Golf Championships take place from July 4th - 8th in Puerto Rico. There are 10 countries which participate in the Junior Championships, each country taking its turn as host. Trinidad and Tobago will next host the 2008 Championships following OECS in 2007.

HERE COME THE RAINS AGAIN!
By Vidath Singh, Course superintendent

We have just completed one of our two annual deep core aerifications of the greens and subsequent top-dressing with Guyana sand. The greens will be a bit slow while the turf recovers as the grass begins to grow over the holes. You would have noticed that the practice green was left out as well as the 15th which was omitted because at the time I did not want to cause further mechanical damage to the green. Since then however I have changed my mind. The green has gotten progressively worse despite all my efforts to resurrect it. Aerifying will improve drainage and relieve compaction but will cause the turf some damage that will take time to recover.

I have had many conversations with our previous Superintendent, Paul Sheppard, about the history and construction of this green. We both agree that the wrong type of sand was used in its construction; however this is what was available at the time. The green needs to be re-built to specific USGA standards in order to ensure its survival, especially given its location. This green is subjected to shorter daylight hours, low light intensities, high rainfall, high humidity, poor air circulation and rising ground water, a dismal combination for any superintendent.

In the meantime I will continue to treat with the moss on the green, which by the way I can maintain at very low cutting heights and achieve fairly good speeds!

On another note, gabion basket work being done at the 8th bridge has almost ground to a halt due to the current weather conditions. As soon as we get a break in the weather we hope to close up this job once and for all. So far the Eastern side has held up quite nicely but the rain keeps washing the fresh soil we laid on the banks; as soon as the grass establishes itself on the bank this will stop.

The cross walls in the river around the 10th green have also begun silting up and are serving their purpose, which is to save the bank from further slippage and break down the velocity of the water.

The Met office says we are in for a very busy hurricane season with more storms of greater intensity. This year hurricane Dennis was the first storm ever recorded with such intensity, developing so early in the season. Gear yourself up for the rainy season and don't forget to seek immediate shelter in the event of lightning. We can all only hope that we don't suffer a repeat of the extensive damage caused by the rains last year.

OUR NEW CELL PHONE POLICY

Mobile Communications Technology has become one of the most intense areas of technological advancement in the world today ranking with Web Technology and sophisticated Operating Systems. The cell phone is now an indispensable communication tool in an international environment where instant contact and response are the order of the day and anything less is viewed as backward and unacceptable.

Golf courses are among the last peaceful sanctuaries where the demands of the workplace, and indeed everyday life, can be put on hold for a few hours. We must however recognize that the ever changing nature and scope of work and family life permit many to take time off to play golf only if they can be reached in urgent and important circumstances.

We also need to recognize that for security reasons, as well as in the event of sudden illnesses, injury and other emergencies on the golf course, the ability to communicate instantly may be critical in solving a serious unexpected situation. To optimize our ability to respond to the above possible circumstances, we have formulated the following policy governing the use of cell phones at St. Andrews Golf Club which will be effective immediately and we ask all members to please strictly adhere to this policy for the benefit of all:

Cell phones should only be used for emergencies and urgent situations while on the golf course. All cellular phones must be placed on the "vibrate" or "silent" mode while on the golf course. Ringing or other electronic sounds are not allowed. When a cell phone rings it is a distraction to others on the course. Therefore, once you arrive to the first tee, if your phone has not been placed in a silent mode it must be turned off.

Caddies may not use cell phones on the course .While on the golf course, vibrating cell phones may be answered or calls made away from the playing group. Should you have to answer your phone, the caller must be placed on hold while you move to a reasonable distance from those you are playing with before responding to the call. Obviously courtesy must be extended at all times and playing partners must not be disturbed. Be aware of the volume of your voice while on your phone.

The pace of play must not be affected due to cell phone use. During tournaments cell phones must be turned off and only outgoing calls made in the event of an emergency. It is the Member's responsibility to ensure that their guests understand and abide by these rules. Any contravention of this policy should be reported to the starter marshall or a management staff member who will handle the matter.

2005 COPA DE LAS AMERICAS

Canada emerged overall champions once again at the second edition of the "Copa de las Americas" which recently took place at the El Tigre Golf club, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, from June 22 - 25. Trinidad and Tobago were among 13 nations who participated in this biannual event, viewed by many as the premier amateur team championship of the americas. Our men's team was Shane Costelloe and Simon Merry while Diana Torry and Martine de Gannes comprised the women's team. Trinidad and Tobago placed 10th among the 13 men's teams and 7th among the 8 women's teams. Trinidad and Tobago and Puerto Rico were the only Caribbean countries who fielded both a men's and a women's team.

Organized by the Americas Golf Association and hosted by the Mexican Golf Federation the "Copa de las Americas" is a team tournament styled on the format of the World Amateur Team Championships and featuring top amateur players from the entire Western Hemisphere. The Copa was inaugurated June 2003 in Puerto rico when Canada claimed the championship, plus a clean sweep in both the Men's and the Ladies' divisions. The format is two male and two female players per team, the winner decided by aggregate scores over four days play. In addition there are separate men's and women's team trophies.

Shane Costelloe- 77, 81, 73, 75
Simon Merry- 81, 77, 78, 77
Diana Torry- 7, 80, 84, 77
Martine de Gannes- 82, 92, 85, 78

Mr Robert Jodhan, Chairman od Sterling Services presents Richard Lara the A Class trophy and Prize at the Mercedes Trophy tournament

Derek Winford, Purchasing Director of HILO Food Stores presents the trophy to winners: cheryl Lee Kong, Barry Fakoory, Dennis Fakoory and Luke Thompson

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Mid Year Meeting Reminder The Mid Year Meeting will be held on Monday 26 September 2005 at 5pm at the Clubhouse

MAY CADDY OF THE MONTH Penny Mendonca presents Mark Conelly with the A Class Caddy of the Month prize for the month of May 2005 on behalf of the President of the T&T Golf Association, Mr Asraph Ali   TRANSITIONS We would like to offer a special welcome to our new Finance Manager, Fijona Jaggernauth. Ms Jaggernauth has completed Level I and 2 of the Association of Chartered Accountants and is pursuing the final module of Level 3. We look forward to having Fijona as part of our Management team.

The view of our newly installed sign behind the 18th green

St. Andrew's Golf Club P.O. Box 3403 Moka, Maraval Trinidad, W.I. Office: 868-629-0066 868-629-6187-8 Fax: 868-629-0411 Starter/ After Hours 868-629-2314