Chandra Gates, Brandley Snyder, Brian Shields and Susan Kennedy of Team 11 made a gate-to-wire affair to win the 15th annual United States Travel Agents Golf Tournament which came to an end at the Sandals Golf and Country Club in Ocho Rios, St Ann, yesterday.

The quartet, who held a four-point lead after shooting 61 at the end of the first day of the two-day, four-man scramble format on Friday, shot 62 yesterday to compile a score of 123, resulting in a three-shot victory.

Second place went to Team 12, comprising Mona Coleman, Sheila Golden, Michael Prater, and Mark Frainie, who shot 61 yesterday to add to their 65 the previous day for a total of 126. Team 12 had started the day in joint second place alongside Team Six and Team 15.

Team Two, which had James and Donna Cssie, Rowanne Gallo and Michael Tipple competing, came from fifth place on Friday after shooting 66, to snatch third place with a score of 63 yesterday for a grand total of 129.

Team Three – Blair Preston, Darlene Vanslyke, Myron Prevatte, and David Judah – who finished in sixth place with 68 on Friday, edged Team Six – Susan and Charles Shimkus, Kim and Keith Quimby – for fourth place on a tie-breaker (better back nine), as both finished on 133. Team Six had finished in joint second place after the first day with a score of 65.

Fourteen teams teed off in the tournament, including a few first-timers.

Susan Kennedy had won the Ladies Longest Drive with her effort on Hole #18, while Myron Prevatte had proven the best in the men’s equivalent with his effort on Hole #9.

The Men’s Closest to Pin winner was won by Charlie Shimkus with his stroke at Hole #4. There was no women’s winner. These competitions were held on Friday.

Garth Laird, Sandals Resorts’ Director of Travel Industry Programmes, said that Jamaica is the most complete and visited destination in the Caribbean with a tourism product that is going from strength to strength, and his company was proud to be at the forefront of promoting it internationally.

The Travel Agents Golf Tournament is of great benefit to both Jamaica as a golfing destination and Sandals Resorts, as it gives the travel partners a chance to experience the place first-hand and hence be better able to market the destination and facilities to their respective clients.

He also noted that the tournament was not just showcasing golf and Sandals, but offering the travel agents a chance to see a number of Jamaican hotels and attractions as some will be staying on the island after the event to enjoy the Jamaican hospitality.

Sponsors included Appleton, Red Stripe, Wisynco and Jamaica Tourist Board.

The awards presentation was slated for last evening at Sandals Ochi Beach Resort.