Zico Correia won the 2021 Brechin Castle Golf Open after he maintained a two-shot lead going into the final day's play and that helped him to get the better of defending champion Sol Joanni at the Sevilla Golf course in Brechin Castle, Couva on Sunday afternoon.
This is the first T&T Golf Association (TTGA) tournament for the year 2021 at the none-hole course. The event attracted 108 players which included the defending men's champion, Joanni and the 2019 Women's champion and favourite Yeji Lee, who completed the women's field of eight.
This year's Open provided play in five divisions for players - championship, 1st flight, 2nd flight, super seniors and ladies.
The players from Trinidad and Tobago competed for points to be selected for the national teams, in the juniors, seniors and super seniors categories. Brechin Castle is the only nine-hole golf course in T&T which is played twice from different tee boxes to make up the 18 holes during the tournament.
Correia, shot 70 on day 1 for a two-stroke lead over Sol Jonnie, before he shot 77 on day 2 to finish with 147, while struggled a shot a 78 on day 2 to close on 150, while Chris Richards Jr, shot 78 and 73 to end on 151 for third place.
Richard Camacho emerged as the seniors champion behind scores of 74 and 74 for a net total gross of 148, while D Sookraj topped the 2nd flight with scores of 93 and 86 to end on 179 for a three-stroke win over E Sagram, who finished on 182.
Jada Charles did enough over the two days to hold off the tournament favourite Yi ji Lee with scores of 82 and 81 for a total gross of 163. Lee shot finished with 164 as she came up short by one stroke and Chloe Ajoda came in third four strokes back.
Krishna Samai, the president of the BCGC said: "On behalf of the Nation Wide Junior Initiative and Camille Roopnarine and Joel Mahabir, I want to thank BCGC executive for supporting our programme by reducing the fees for the Juniors. The BC Golf Club has once again hosted a very successful Open Tournament for persons vying for the TTGA national qualifier. We were oversubscribed and eventually cut off at 108 players. We had five categories including a group for Super Seniors for the first time.
It is the will of the Lord but I would also like to thank firstly the executive members who worked tirelessly in so many different ways to improve the planning, accounting and facilities and to obtain sponsorship for things we needed to get done but could not ordinarily afford. It was not easy but we did it. We should be thankful to this great team of people for volunteering their services to BCGC. We also wish to thank heartily all those sponsors who came forward and donated in this difficult period. Many of you have commended the new “BC Welcome” sign, new pins, new flags, new scorecards, new signage for Tee boxes, to name a few initiatives. You all must have observed that we have started the preparation of a “putting green”. All thanks to our generous sponsors".
He also sp[oke about those who kept the course in ready form. "The Course Superintendent and workers really came forward together with the executive members to have one of the best-prepared courses. Even the members who had to play were on the Course assisting on the morning of play. They gave their best unstintingly. The volunteers worked so well with providing Starting Services, Marshall Services, Spotting and helping to move the players onwards to keep the game flowing well, always a challenge on a 9-hole course. We also had volunteers assisting with food preparation, photography and coordinating the tabulation and collation of the scores with the requisite software in a professional manner. Members who of their own volition saw the need and rose to the occasion to wash down the tents next to the Starter Shed and change the worn-out rain-shield of the tent, to make contact for water to fill the water tanks, to loan a golf cart for easy coordination of activities on the days of play and so many other areas of voluntary assistance."