Mixed fortunes for Betschart siblings at Junior Championships
IslandStats.com
Bermudian siblings Oliver and Darina Betschart have completed their campaigns at the prestigious Uswing Mojing Junior World Championships in California, experiencing contrasting fortunes on the demanding South Course at Torrey Pines in La Jolla.
Competing in the ultra-competitive boys fifteen to eighteen age group division, Oliver Betschart finished in a tie for 71st position after a roller-coaster three days of golf left him at twelve over par overall.
The young golfer opened his tournament with a challenging five over par round of seventy-seven, a score that included a single birdie, eleven pars, and six bogeys.
He fought back brilliantly in the second round, firing a highly impressive even par round of seventy-two. His second-day resurgence was fueled by three birdies and twelve pars, with just three bogeys blotting his scorecard.
However, the final round proved a bridge too far as Oliver carded a seven over par seventy-nine. Despite managing eleven pars and a birdie, his momentum was stalled by four bogeys and a pair of costly double bogeys, slipping him down the final leaderboard.
Meanwhile, his sister Darina Betschart delivered a resilient performance in the girls thirteen to fourteen age group division to secure a tie for fifty-sixth place.
Darina enjoyed an excellent start to her week, carding a steady two over par seventy-five in the opening round. Her consistent display included fourteen pars, three bogeys, and one birdie.
The course showed its teeth during the second round, where she signed for a five over par seventy-eight. It was an eventful day featuring three birdies and ten pars, but also three bogeys, a double bogey, and a triple bogey.
Her final round followed a similarly volatile path as she carded a nine over par eighty-one. Darina showed plenty of fighting spirit by rolling in three birdies and grinding out eight pars, but heavy damage was done elsewhere with four bogeys, two double bogeys, and a triple bogey concluding her tournament.
Wednesday, July 08, 2026
Bermudian star Cox Confirmed for Chicago Return
IslandStats.com
Bermuda’s Ebonie Cox is set to make a highly anticipated return to the fairways after the Sapphire Golf Tour confirmed her inclusion in the field for the upcoming Windy City Women's Open in Chicago.
Affectionately known across the golf community as "AOTG" (Auntie on the Greens), Cox has established herself as a formidable competitor and a significant inspirational figure both on and off the course. Tour organizers expressed their delight at welcoming back the Bermudian star, describing her as a "force" within the game.
The tournament anchor-points a packed four-day itinerary in Illinois, blending elite professional competition, youth development, and high-profile networking events.
The event rolls out a busy four-day program across Chicago, culminating in Sunday's championship final.
Welcome Reception Thursday, July 23 (18:00 - 20:30) "The Gathering" Welcome to Chicago Reception kicks off the week's events at the historic South Shore Cultural Center.
Prosecco & Pros
Friday, July 24 (18:00 - 20:00) An official networking evening designed to connect professional players with local sponsors and enthusiasts.
Charity Pro-Am & Clinics Saturday, July 25 (08:30 onwards) The Chi-Town Tee Off Charity Pro-Am takes center stage, running alongside a Free Kids Clinic and the Rising Star Showcase to engage the local community.
Championship Final & After Party Sunday, July 26 (08:30 - 18:00) The Championship Final Round tees off in the morning, followed by the official tournament After Party back at the South Shore Cultural Center from 14:00 to 18:00.
Cox will join an elite field looking to master the Chicago breeze, with local community initiatives taking top billing alongside the professional silverware.
Monday, July 06, 2026
2026 Birdies for Charity Program
IslandStats.com
The Butterfield Bermuda Championship is proud to announce the launch of its 2026 Birdies for Charity program, offering an exciting opportunity for the community to rally behind local charities while celebrating world-class golf.
The Butterfield Bermuda Championship Birdies for Charity program is an easy and effective matching fund program where the tournament sponsors match fundraising efforts made by participating charities. Organizations receive every penny they raise, plus up to a 10% match on every donation.
“The Birdies for Charity program is a risk-free opportunity to maximize fundraising efforts,” said Danielle Carrera, Tournament Director. “We encourage every charity on island to join us and make an impact and we encourage businesses alike to contribute to our matching fund to further benefit community initiatives that matter most.”
The program has become a vital fundraising tool for local charities, supporting a variety of initiatives in education, youth development, health, the environment, and social services.
Since its inception, Birdies for Charity programme has seen more than $5.8 million make it’s way to Bermuda-based charitable organizations.
How It Works: Local nonprofits register to participate in the Birdies for Charity program Fans, businesses, and supporters may donate via the tournament website Charities may raise dollars on their own through tag days, events, and other fundraisers and submit them to the program 100% of funds raised go directly to the charity Funds raised are matched up to 10% and donated back to the charity at the conclusion of the program in the spring of 2027
Registration for local nonprofits is now open and those interested can register via the link here: Birdies for Charity - Charity Registration. Charities are encouraged to sign up early to maximize their fundraising potential and take advantage of tournament marketing opportunities.
The Butterfield Bermuda Championship will take place October 22-25 featuring top PGA TOUR professionals competing for the title against the stunning backdrop of Bermuda’s south shore.
Thursday, July 02, 2026
Betschart Secures Title with Final-Round Comeback
IslandStats.com
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.
