The Bermuda Amateur Stroke Play Championships got underway today at the Port Royal Golf Course, with golfers across three divisions battling challenging conditions.
In the Men’s Championship, Eric West has taken an early lead, carding a two-over-par 73 in his opening round. He sits just one stroke clear of a trio of talented golfers tied for second: Spencer Wideman, Jarryd Dillas, and promising young talent Arman Newton, all on 74. Defending champion Damian Palanyandi started his title defence with a five-over-par 76, leaving him with ground to make up.
The Ladies Championship sees 2023 winner Vanessa Chychrun establish an early advantage. Chychrun leads the field after an opening round of six-over-par 77. Local veteran Tracy Burgess, fresh from her international experience at Pinehurst, is in close pursuit, one stroke back on seven-over-par 78. Young Darina Betschart, eager to return to tournament play after injury, holds third place after an eight-over-par 79.
In the Senior Men’s Championship, Baldonick Fernandez is the clubhouse leader after an opening round of four-over-par 75. Former winner Arthur Jones is hot on his heels, just one stroke behind on 76. Mark Ray occupies third place following a first-round six-over-par 77.
The championship promises more thrilling action over the weekend, with all divisions tightly contested after the opening day at Port Royal.
The Bermuda Amateur Stroke Play Championships gets underway on Friday, June 27th with the Men’s Championship, Ladies Championship and Senior Men’s Championship division taking to the Port Royal Golf Course.
2024 champion, Kenny Leseur isn’t in the field as has just recently turned pro. The ‘in form’ Damian Palanyandi will lead a strong field that includes the likes of Eric West, Jarryd Dillas, Will Haddrell and up and coming talents Dylan Muso, Arman Newton and Sa-Qui Robinson.
In the Senior Men’s Championship, defending Champion Scott Clark hasn’t returned to defend his title so former winners Arthur Jones, Hav Trott and Chris Phillips will be looking to put together three good rounds to challenge for the title. Others to keep an eye on are former national team athletes Mark ‘Beaver’ Ray and Kyly Lightbourne who have been producing some consistent rounds this season.
There will be a new Ladies open champion this year as Kim Botelho will not be defending her title. The 2023 winner, Vanessa Chychrun is back this year and will be the favorite going into the tournament. Local veteran Tracy Burgess will be back from her experience at the North-South Championships played earlier this week at Pinehurst. Island Games team members Morgan Lightbourne and Katrin Burnie will be looking to put together 54 good holes to challenge for a podium position. Young teenager, Darina Betschart is fresh off injury and raring to get back into tournament competition. Other notable veterans in the field include Linda Down, Ann Symonds and 2024 Senior Ladies Championship winner Carine Brule.
The First Flight and Junior Divisions will consist of 36 holes played on Saturday and Sunday. The First Flight has 21 participants which includes some very low handicaps that should make the competition extremely tight at the top of the leaderboard. The Junior Division has 6 participants with the youngest being Lewis MacFarlane who has won his division in the last 4 tournaments he has played.
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Burgess Misses Cut at Women's North & South Amateur
IslandStats.com
Golfer Tracy Burgess concluded her campaign at the 123rd Women’s North & South Amateur Championships, held at the prestigious Pinehurst Resort & Country Club, missing the cut after a challenging second round.
Burgess, competing against a strong international field, posted a second round of 35-over par 107. Her round began on the front nine, where she made the turn at twenty-seven-over, before a slightly improved stretch on the back nine saw her card an additional eight-over.
Her scorecard for the day reflected the difficult conditions and challenging course, including just three pars. Unfortunately, her round was hampered by seven bogeys, one double bogey, two triple bogeys, and five quintuple bogeys.
Having faced a tough opening round of 95, Burgess's combined score placed her outside the cut line for the match play stage of the tournament. While the result was not what she had hoped for, competing at a major amateur event like the North & South Amateur at Pinehurst provides invaluable experience for the Bermudian golfer.
Tracy Burgess’ 23rd Women’s North & South Amateur Championships Second Round Scorecard
Burgess Faces Uphill Battle at North & South Amateur
IslandStats.com
Golfer Tracy Burgess endured a challenging opening round at the 123rd Women’s North & South Amateur Championships, held at the prestigious Pinehurst Resort & Country Club.
Burgess, competing against a strong international field, posted an opening round of 23-over par 95. Her round began on the back nine, where she made the turn at eight-over, before a tougher stretch on the front nine saw her card an additional fifteen-over.
Her scorecard for the day included one Birdie and three Pars, but was unfortunately hampered by eight Bogeys, four Double Bogeys, one Triple Bogey, and one Quintuple Bogey.
Burgess will need a significant turnaround in tomorrow's second round of stroke play qualifying to contend for a spot in the match play stage of the competition, for which typically only the top 32 players advance.
Tracy Burgess’ 23rd Women’s North & South Amateur Championships First Round Scorecard
Bermudian golfer Camiko Smith was among over 2000 hopefuls attempting to qualify for golf's oldest major, The Open Championship, which this year will be held at Royal Portrush from July 17th to 20th.
Smith took to the Frilford Heath Golf Course in Oxfordshire as one of 15 regional qualifying venues across Great Britain and Ireland. He carded a round of three-over-par 76, which placed him in a tie for 47th position.
Unfortunately for Smith, this score was not enough to advance him to the next stage of qualification. The rigorous regional qualifying process sees only a select few from each venue progress, highlighting the immense challenge of reaching golf's most historic major championship.
