On the first day of the National Trials to select Jamaica’s team to the 2019 Caribbean Amateur Golf Championships William Knibbs got out of the starting gate on a good note.

Knibbs shot two birdies and, after a string of pars and an eagle on hole number 10, he ended the day with 73 strokes on the Half Moon course.

Sean Morris followed two shots behind on 75. His scorecard reflected four birdies, which helped him stay on course to his three over par round at the end of yesterday’s play. Third is Tommy Lee on 78. The national amateur champion, Justin Burrows, followed with 79 and is tied with Sebert Walker in fourth position.

Jodi Munn-Barrow shot nine pars, eight bogeys, and one birdie in the ladies category to complete her first round on 79. She is two shots ahead of Florida-based Hannah Foster. Junior team member Emily Mayne finished the day on 84.

The 2019 National Senior Trials has a bumper crop of seven junior golfers, most of whom were invited based on their performance in the junior ranks. Rocco Lopez and Emily Mayne earned their invitation to the trials though the Order of Merit.

Tournament Director Teddy Richards advised that the rains last week made a difference and that the Half Moon Golf Course was in great condition. He added that the greens were running nicely and the response from the players to course conditions was positive.

The second round of the National Golf Trials gets under way today at 8:00 am. The scores will be used to select the team to the Caribbean Championships to be held in the Dominican Republic from June 30-July 6.