Bermuda’s Darina Betschart produced a masterclass in pressure golf to overturn a deficit and capture the Girls 15 and Under title at the 2026 Caribbean Amateur Junior Golf Championships.
The triumph comes exactly one year after Betschart secured the Girls 11-13 crown, marking an exceptional back-to-back achievement in two different age categories.
Entering the final round at the Playa Dorada Golf Club in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, Betschart trailed overnight leader Haley Hall of the Bahamas. However, the Bermudian youngster carded a magnificent two-over par 74—anchored by two birdies and 12 steady pars—to surge past her rival.
Betschart completed her tournament loop at 14-over par, finishing a comfortable three strokes clear of Hall to seal a memorable victory for the historic Caribbean Golf Association debutants.
Betschart said, ‘I’m very happy with how I scored over the three days, even though I was sick for 2 of the 3 days I still powered through and came out on top. The course was in excellent condition but there were some holes that the wind made it difficult but being from Bermuda where we face those conditions almost everyday it made it slightly easier. It means a lot to me to win first place not just for me but for my country.”
While Betschart celebrated gold, her national teammates fought through a demanding final day across the rolling Dominican fairways:
Lewis MacFarlane narrowly missed out on a podium spot in the Boys 11-13Division, securing a highly commendable fourth-place finish overall at 24-over par following a closing round of 89. Ten-year-old compatriot Bradford Laing gained vital continental experience, finishing 16th overall after grinding out a final-round 92.
MacFarlane said, “I thought that it was a great experience but adapting to the conditions was difficult as it was very dry and the ball was running out a lot on the fairways and greens. I enjoyed playing with new people and making good friends along the way, and I was very happy with my 4th place.”
Laing said, “I had fun on the trip. It was a great experience for my first overseas golf tournament. I was the youngest and playing from white tees for the first time, so I was happy with myself. Now that I know what to expect, I’m excited to come back next year and improve my scores. My team was really supportive, and I met a lot of new friends.”
Grayson Tavares broke into the top ten with a resilient final-round performance in the Boys 15 & Under Division, Tavares carded a six-over par 78, featuring 13 pars and a birdie, to climb into solo eighth place at 27-over par.
Tavares said, “It has been very exciting representing Bermuda for the first time, the course gave some challenges and also an opportunity to score well. Although I had a difficult first day I was able to make something out of day 2 and 3. I am grateful to have had this experience as it has provided me with more time to play at an international level and I have made lasting friendships along the way. I look forward to possible future opportunities.”
In the Boys 18 & Under Division Sa-Qui Robinson concluded his championship campaign on a high note in the flagship division. Robinson showcased fine attacking intent to collect three birdies in a final-round 76, sealing 13th place overall at 23-over par.
Robinson said, “Overall it was a great experience, the competition was exceptional although it took me a while to become accustomed to how the Dominican weather affects the ball and the firm conditions of the course. I had fun, managed to keep my head and solidify my place in the middle of the table.”
Bermuda’s Darina Betschart has slipped to second place in the Girls 15 and Under Division following an eventful second round at the 2026 Caribbean Amateur Junior Golf Championships.
Playing at the picturesque Playa Dorada Golf Club in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, the overnight leader carded an eight-over par 80 to move to 12-over for the tournament.
Betschart’s second loop featured two birdies and eight pars, but six bogeys and two costly double bogeys allowed the Bahamas' Haley Hall to seize the summit, with Hall now leading the field at six-over par.
The round of the day from a Bermudian perspective belonged to Lewis MacFarlane in the Boys 11 to 13 Division. MacFarlane put on a resilient display to card a five-over par 77, climbing into fourth place overall at 16-over par.
His steady round, anchored by 11 pars and a solitary birdie against six bogeys, keeps him within touching distance of the podium, though he trails home favorite Alejandro Balbuena of the Dominican Republic, who leads the field at one-under par.
Meanwhile, 10-year-old compatriot Bradford Laing moved into 15th place at 36-over par after signing for a second-round 87, a fighting effort that included a birdie and two pars.
Boys 15 & Under, Grayson Tavares made a significant move up the leaderboard into 10th place overall after carding a determined six-over par 78. Sitting at 21-over for the tournament, Tavares' round included two birdies and 10 pars. Puerto Rico's Fernando Javier Leduc Lopez holds the division lead at two-under par.
Boys 18 & Under, Sa-Qui Robinson climbed one spot to 13th place overall after firing a second-round seven-over par 79. Robinson demonstrated plenty of attacking intent to card four birdies and seven pars, balancing out a tough run that included a double and a triple bogey. He sits at 19-over par, with Waldo Aguasvivas Arias (Dominican Republic) and Ayden Agustus Febres (Puerto Rico) sharing the flagship lead at three-under par.
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Betschart Brilliant on Day One as Bermuda’s Juniors Battle
IslandStats.com
Bermuda’s Darina Betschart produced a roller-coaster opening round to seize the sole lead of the Girls 15 and Under Division at the 2026 Caribbean Amateur Junior Golf Championships.
Making their historic debut as full members of the Caribbean Golf Association, Bermuda's promising young pipeline enjoyed a highly eventful opening day of tournament play at the picturesque Playa Dorada Golf Club in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.
Betschart, who captured the Girls 11 to 13 crown last year, made an immediate, explosive statement after moving up an age bracket. The young Bermudian carded an incredibly rare opening scorecard to finish the day at a brilliant four-over par.
In a round entirely devoid of a single standard par, Betschart exhibited immense damage control and attacking flair. Her day was illuminated by a spectacular eagle and two birdies, allowing her to hold the summit despite suffering four bogeys and two double bogeys across the challenging coastal layout.
In the Boys 11 to 13 Division, Lewis MacFarlane anchored himself inside the top ten following a gritty, determined opening loop. MacFarlane signed for an 11-over par round of 83 to finish the day in solo sixth place, carding a solitary birdie and seven stable pars against nine bogeys and a single triple bogey.
His younger compatriot, ten-year-old Bradford Laing—the youngest competitor in the entire division—endured a much tougher introduction to continental tournament play. Laing ended the day in 16th place after carding a 21-over par round of 93, a resilient effort that included five pars, eight bogeys, four double bogeys, and a quadruple bogey.
The story of grinding out scores under intense international pressure continued into the higher age brackets. In the Boys 15 and Under Division, Grayson Tavares concluded his opening round in 14th place overall after firing a 15-over par round of 87.
Tavares provided one of the day’s ultimate highlights with a majestic eagle of his own, complementing his card with six pars, though six bogeys, four costly double bogeys, and a triple bogey hampered his upward momentum.
Meanwhile, in the prestigious Boys 18 and Under flagship division, Sa-Qui Robinson matched his teammate's standing, ending day one in a tie for 14th place. Robinson demonstrated fine elite-level consistency on the greens to card 10 brilliant pars, but a late run of five bogeys, two double bogeys, and a triple bogey left him signing for a 14-over par round of 84 ahead of tomorrow's second-round charge.
Monday, June 29, 2026
Beyond The Fairways Foundation Celebrates First Graduates
IslandStats.com
Nine students from St. George’s Preparatory School were celebrated recently as the first graduates of the School-to-Course Programme, the pilot initiative of the newly established charity, Beyond The Fairways Foundation.
The certificate presentation marked the completion of a three-term journey that introduced students to golf within their own school environment before progressing them onto the course at Five Forts Golf Club. The programme was designed to remove the barriers that have kept too many young Bermudians outside a game capable of changing lives. The pilot programme began as a small after-school initiative involving 15 students from St. George’s Preparatory School. Over the course of three terms, nine students completed the full School-to-Course pathway and earned the opportunity to continue their development through Golfzon Leadbetter Academy Bermuda – Five Forts.
Beginning this academic year, the Foundation will significantly expand the programme by delivering golf instruction during physical education classes, introducing many more students to the game before providing after-school and on-course pathways for those who wish to continue.In recognition of their achievement, all nine graduates have been awarded full scholarships to continue their development through Golfzon Leadbetter Academy Bermuda – Five Forts beginning this September.“I am so grateful to have had Beyond The Fairways Foundation at St. George’s Preparatory School this school year. Coach Q, Coach Arriek and Coach Cindy had a tremendous impact on our students. They gave countless hours to introduce our children to golf while providing coaching of the highest calibre.
Friday golf quickly became the students’ favourite part of the week because the coaches were so knowledgeable, patient and fun. This has been a wonderful experience for our entire school community, and we are incredibly grateful for everything Beyond The Fairways has done for our students.”— Mrs. Smith, Principal, St. George’s Preparatory School “This is exactly what the School-to-Course Programme was created to achieve,” said Quinton Sherlock Jr., Chairman of Beyond The Fairways Foundation and Director of Instruction at Golfzon Leadbetter Academy Bermuda. “The goal was never simply to teach golf. It was to create opportunity, build confidence, and give young people access to experiences that can shape their future. Watching these students progress from their school assembly room onto the golf course has been deeply rewarding.”
The Foundation extends its sincere appreciation to St. George’s Preparatory School Principal Mrs. Smith for embracing the programme, and to volunteer Coach Cindy Semos for her dedication and countless hours supporting the students throughout the pilot year. Beyond The Fairways Foundation was founded by four Bermudians—Quinton Sherlock Jr., Daniel Augustus, Arriek Douglas and Ebonie Cox—who grew up in golf, progressed through the game at every level and came together around a shared belief: that too many young Bermudians are being left outside a game that could transform their lives.
A registered charity, the Foundation is built around three pillars: ● Youth Development ● Access & Inclusion ● Education & Scholarships
The Foundation will also launch an Island Junior Golf Tour, featuring 18-hole and, in some cases, 36-hole events designed to prepare Bermuda’s aspiring golfers for elite junior level and collegiate competition.
In addition, they will expand their Junior Golf Programme, offering clearly defined pathways for golfers of varying abilities. As the Foundation’s technical coaching partner, Golfzon Leadbetter Academy Bermuda – Five Forts will continue delivering instruction for scholarship recipients and programme participants, while more advanced players will have the opportunity to compete on the Island Junior Golf Tour.
Sunday, June 28, 2026
BGA Stoke Play Champions Crowned at Port Royal
Eric West & Sienna Mosquera
IslandStats.com
Eric West and Sienna Mosquera anchored a day of supreme clinical precision at Southampton as the Bermuda Amateur Stroke Play Championship drew to a dramatic close at the world-renowned Port Royal Golf Course.
On a final day where the relentless Atlantic coastal breeze tested every ounce of strategic discipline, five new division champions emerged victorious across the iconic public layout.
In the Men's Open Championship Division, Eric West produced a masterclass in risk management, carding a final-round, even-par 71 to finish the tournament at an unshakeable even-par overall.
West’s final loop around the Robert Trent Jones Sr. masterpiece was a model of consistency. He mixed three brilliant birdies with 12 steady pars, dropping shots on just three occasions to keep the chasing pack strictly at arm's length.
Behind him, the challenge from the overnight pursuers faded in the Southampton winds. Alec Barker, who started the day firmly in the hunt, endured a grueling afternoon, signing for a six-over-par 77 to finish the championship in solo second at seven-over-par. Defending champion Jarryd Dillas staged a spirited recovery with a three-over-par 74, but it was only enough to secure the final podium spot at eight-over-par overall.
The Ladies Open Championship Division belonged entirely to Sienna Mosquera, who clinched the title at nine-over-par overall despite a bumpy ride through her final 18 holes.
Mosquera found herself locked in a fierce battle with the demanding track, carding a 12-over-par 83. Her final scorecard was a frantic mix of nine pars, six bogeys, and three costly double bogeys. However, thanks to her magnificent, four-under-par performance in the second round, she had already built a cushion wide enough to comfortably survive the damage.
Tracy Burgess clinched the runner-up spot, closing out her tournament with an 11-over-par 82 to finish at 25-over-par overall. Kim Botelho completed the top three, finishing a distant 35-over-par after a final-round 84.
Experience dictated terms in the Senior Open Championship Division as Robert Vallis produced the round of the day. Vallis tore through the layout with an exceptional two-under-par 69, finishing the tournament as the only player under par at one-under-par overall.
Vallis was in sublime touch, striking four exquisite birdies and 12 pars against just two dropped shots. Arthur Jones claimed second place at 14-over-par after firing a highly commendable even-par final round, while Tony Ravenda took third at 20-over-par.
In a remarkable feat of endurance, Tracy Burgess pulled double duty, sweeping the Senior Ladies Championship Division crown at 25-over-par. Linda Down finished a distant second at 49-over-par after a final-round 91, while Katyna Rabain claimed third spot just one stroke behind at 50-over-par.
The tightest competitive drama of the afternoon unfolded in the Men's First Flight Division, where Jonathan James held his nerve in a grandstand finish.
James carded a steady two-over-par 73 to claim a dramatic one-stroke victory at eight-over-par overall. He just managed to fend off Richard Marriott, who signed for a five-over-par 76 to finish agonizingly close at nine-over-par, while Paul Egan settled for third at 10-over-par after a final-round 75.
Bradford Laing won the Junior Division with a 24-over par, Joshua Cann finished second at 25-over par, and Grayson Tavares finished third shooting 31-over par.
