Sunday found 129 avid Caribbean golfers chomping at the bit following an early morning shower which fortunately did not impact the Mahogany Run Course. They were lined up to play in the St. Thomas Open Golf Tournament sponsored by Medical Air Services Association International and the St. Thomas/St. John Golf Association to benefit the Victim Advocates Program.
Saturday's play was canceled following two downpours, which turned several fairways into rivers and sand traps into ponds. Sunday was the last opportunity to get the tournament underway qualifying players for further tournaments throughout the Caribbean.
While the course was wet and a bit slow, the scores were respectable and the golfers appeared excited about their play. Bourne-Vanneck, a St. Thomas junior player with a number of accomplishments under her belt, finished with a 70-stroke gross becoming the women's champion for the second year running. Doug Menzies, President of the St. Croix Golf Association, also finished with a 70-stroke gross.
Winners in the Men's A Flight obtained the following net scores after factoring in their handicaps: David Coulter, 68; Peter Briggs, 70 and John Streibich, 72. Twenty-nine players completed in this division.
Barney Cross had the Men's Senior low gross scoring a 72. Errol Samuel won the Senior's net with a 70.
Forty-three men completed the B Flight. Winners included John Ferrigno, 65; Bill Collins, 71 and Michael Graci, 72. Phillip Barnett carded the lowest gross with an 83.
The Women's A Flight included nine players. Kimisha Anthony traveled from Antigua to win with a 70, followed by Nina Glande at 74.
The St. Thomas Open used two different scoring systems. The A and B Flights are scored according to the number of swings at the ball it takes to put the ball into 18 different cups. A second system is the Stableford which scores according to the relationship to par. Points are given for under par, par, and just over par. Once a player passes the scoring system without holing out, they must pick up and move on to the next hole. This system hastens play and only scores well-played holes.
The Men's Stableford division was comprised of 27 players. Winners include Shane Brunt, 40; Ten Morse, 37, Derek Smith, Bret Johnson and Chris Brathwaite, 36.
The Women's Stableford division was comprised of 11 players. Winners include Casy Wray, 36; Pam Edwards, 35 and Julie Law, 34.
