Marquez, Baynes win HCL Championships

Marquez, the overnight leader by two strokes, managed her way around the course with astute course management and ball striking and was able to finish one stroke better on day two finishing with a final gross score of 78 to widen her lead to 12 strokes. Marquez, coming off a successful Freshman year at Harding University where she made the First Team All Conference in the Great American Conference, is well poised for the National Senior Team trials carded for early next month. Aleema Jack came in second with a two-day total of 169 with young Kezia Bailey taking third spot.

In the Men’s Championship Flight, the veteran Baynes, who was playing in the Penultimate group, had a steady round turning at four over 39. Unbeknown to the final group where the leaders were all struggling to find their game, Baynes took the lead at the turn and never looked back. He sunk a classy, long putt off the green on the 18th using his hybrid to finish off his round with a 77 four strokes ahead of second place Jessel Mohammed who closed out his round with a two day total of 161.

Brilliant sunshine greeted the golfers on the second day and once again accuracy was the name of the game with the rough proving to be a severe challenge and more than interesting pin placements saw many a three putt or a missed birdie putt just lipping out.

The Men’s Second Flight led off day two with young Sam Avey and Christian Townsend leading the pack. The youngsters were not able to hold off the veteran Anthony Salandy however who shot a day-two gross score of 81 to take a one stroke lead over Townsend. Avey finished in third with a two-day total of 180.

The Men’s Seniors then took the stage with Michael Commissiong coming out the leader by two strokes over Ravi Deonarine. Neither were leading after day one but a missing Richard Camacho gave them the chance to claim victory. Arjune Samlal kept the door shut for all other players in the field in the Super Seniors. His day-two score of 80 was enough to take home first place by six strokes over Barry Ferdinand.

In the Mens First Flight, Steve Durgadeen, no stranger to the leaderboard, saw his lead over eventual winner Angard Sonnilal diminish after the front nine. Sonnilal closed out with an 80 giving him a two-day total of 162.

The President of the Trinidad and Tobago Golf Association Mr. Kenny Attai, closed the prize-giving ceremony by thanking all the golfers for their participation in this last tournament before National Trials and gave the exciting news that a new series of “Seven Tournaments at Seven Courses” will begin for all junior golfers. This is in keeping with the TTGAs continuing goal of developing junior golfers for 2016 and beyond.