The Caribbean International Optimist Junior Golf Championship wrapped up its 2024 edition on April 10, with host nation Barbados claiming the majority of divisional titles after four days of competitive play at the Barbados Golf Club in Durants, Christ Church. Young golfers from across the region, including squads from Trinidad and Tobago and Antigua and Barbuda, traveled to the island to compete for top honors and a coveted qualifying spot for this summer’s global Optimist tournament.
In the girls’ divisions, Barbados secured clean sweeps in two age brackets. Kyria Small and N’kah Mayers finished on top of the 10-12 flight leaderboard, while Mariella Young claimed first place in the 15-18 division, leading fellow Barbadians Kiara Wilson and Neffertari Alleyne who took second and third. On the boys’ side, the host nation also notched two early wins: Connor Proudfoot earned first place in the 12-13 age group, finishing ahead of Trinidad and Tobago’s Varin Singh, while Joshua Sambrano took the top spot in the 14-15 division, outperforming Ayo Dells of Antigua.
Visiting golfers claimed victory in the remaining two boys’ divisions. Marquise George of Antigua finished first in the 16-18 senior boys’ flight, beating Barbados’ Aiden Buchanan by a narrow margin, and Christophe Ramnarine of Trinidad and Tobago secured first place in the 10-11 bracket, ahead of Antigua’s Taylon Matthew.
Organizing committee chair Faye Wharton-Paris praised the smooth execution and broad participation of this year’s tournament in an interview with Barbados TODAY. She highlighted that while Barbados dominated the prize standings, the event celebrated rising golf talent from across the entire Caribbean. Wharton-Paris also emphasized the stakes of the regional competition: top qualifying players will earn the opportunity to compete at the prestigious Optimist International Junior Golf Championship, held this July at Florida’s famous Trump Doral Golf Course.
Tournament Director Trenton Weekes noted that the event has seen steady growth and incremental improvements year over year, with organizers constantly refining operations to deliver a better experience for all participants.
“We keep making adjustments to ensure the tournament runs as efficiently as possible,” Weekes explained. “The players are always happy with the results and excited to compete on the high-quality course here at Barbados Golf Club. Competing alongside top peers from around the region makes this a truly valuable experience for every young golfer that participates.”
Weekes also spotlighted the exceptional condition of the venue’s playing surfaces, calling the Barbados Golf Club’s greens some of the finest in the entire Caribbean. He added that visiting players consistently express surprise and satisfaction with the course quality, with many committing to return for future editions of the tournament.
While Weekes expressed satisfaction with the current state of junior golf development in Barbados, he stressed that there is always room to expand the sport’s reach and nurture more emerging talent. The tournament director noted that organizers aim to grow both local participation year after year, and help more young Barbadian golfers break into international competitive circuits, with the goal of developing the next generation of homegrown golf stars. He pointed to recent standout performances by local golfer Emily Odwin, who made national headlines just weeks before the championship, as an example of the success the regional community aims to replicate.