Participants in the National Golf Trials made the job of the selection committee that much easier on completion of their final round at the Half Moon Golf Club last weekend.

After taking the lead on the first day with 73, William Knibbs led the trials each day and produced scores of 73, 77, 72 and 73 for a final score of 295, 11 strokes ahead of the competition.

Knibbs stated, “I was very pleased with my performance. This was my first time winning the trials, so that’s always a positive. I struggled on the second day but I really fought hard to keep it together.

“My game plan was to just go out there and keep making pars and whenever a birdie opportunity came up, try to take advantage of it. Half Moon doesn’t really yield many opportunities for birdies, so it was all about staying in the moment and playing smart golf.

“We’ve had a few good young players who have been on the brink of challenging for spots on the Hoerman Cup team for a while, so it was nice to see some of them take that big step up. I think that the core of this team could be around to challenge for spots in the championships for a while.”

In an unprecedented finish, four golfers tied for second place. Long-standing Hoerman Cup player Sean Morris finished Sunday’s round with 74 strokes for a four-day total of 306. Jack Stein, Sebert Walker Jr, and Justin Burrowes also ended the Trials with 306. Sebert Walker, Jr was the only player to have a sub-par round on the challenging Half Moon layout. Walker shot 71 on Saturday.

JGA Vice-President Dr Mark Newnham ended the trials on 321, for sixth position.

The female National Amateur champion Jodi Munn-Barrow played three rounds of the trials but was unable to compete on the final day. Hannah Foster finished on 324, ahead of Emily Mayne (348).

The Caribbean Amateur Golf Championships will take place June 30-July 6 at The Links, Casa de Campo, in the Dominican Republic. An announcement will be made shortly to confirm the members of the Hoerman Cup (men’s) team and the George Teale Trophy (ladies’) team.