LEIGHTON LEVY, STAR Writer

Citing adequate pre-competition preparation and home-court advantage, president of the Jamaica Golf Association (JGA) Peter Chin is confident that Jamaica can reclaim the championship titles in the 59th staging of the Caribbean Amateur Golf Championships starting tomorrow at the Cinnamon Hill and Half Moon Golf courses in St James.

Teams will compete over four days in the tournament that concludes on July 31. Nine Caribbean countries, including Hoerman Cup holders Puerto Rico and George Teale Cup champions Trinidad and Tobago, will defend their titles against Jamaica, The Bahamas, The Turks and Caicos Islands, the Dominican Republic, The Cayman Islands, Barbados, and US Virgin Islands.

Chin, who sees the defending champions and the Dominican Republic as Jamaica's greatest threats, believes the combination of home court and quality of players can see Jamaica claiming the top prizes.

"Our players' familiarity with the courses will be a huge advantage because Cinnamon Hill can be a very tricky course and Half Moon can also be very tricky. Knowledge of those courses can be very advantageous," he said.

Jamaica's team comprises Ian Facey, Jonathan Newnham, Sean Morris, William Knibbs, and Owen Samuda.

Zandre Roye is the reserve player. The team playing for the George Teale trophy comprises Madeline Piccininni, Tiana Cruz, and Kei Harris, with Jodi Barrow as reserve.

"Most of the Hoerman Cup team was abroad playing in a number of tournaments and we are prepared. The teams have been here preparing, and we are feeling pretty confident."

Facey, he said, recently returned from the Pan Am Games in Canada, and while he didn't finish near the top of the leader board, he played some "pretty decent golf" during the competition.

"They are well groomed," he said. Piccininni, who is based in Canada, has been playing in a number of tournaments. Harris and Cruz have also been active and are expected to be match-ready.