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Morris warms up for Open run with Negril Charity Golf win

Published:Wednesday | October 12, 2022 | 12:10 AMAinsley Walters/Gleaner Writer
Gary Stephens, vice president, operations, Couples Resorts (centre) presents winners Sean Morris (left) and John Hayletts with their prizes after the pair topped the field by carding 63.5 at Sunday’s Couples Resorts 14th Annual Negril Charity Golf Tourna
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Gary Stephens, vice president, operations, Couples Resorts (centre) presents winners Sean Morris (left) and John Hayletts with their prizes after the pair topped the field by carding 63.5 at Sunday’s Couples Resorts 14th Annual Negril Charity Golf Tournament at Negril Hills Golf Club.

FORMER NATIONAL champion Sean Morris warmed up for his return to next month’s Jamaica Open by pairing with John Hayletts to card 63.5 as winners of Sunday’s Couples Resorts 14th Annual Negril Charity Golf Tournament at Negril Hills Golf Club.

Admitting he didn’t have a partner when reminded about the tournament overnight, Morris said the thrill of playing for a charitable cause, especially on the course where he learnt the game, led to him getting in touch with Hayletts four hours before the 9 a.m. shotgun start to the two-man scramble.

The two-time Caribbean senior champion was among 46 players who teed off, including Tom Connor, managing director of first-time title sponsor, Toyota Jamaica.

Corporate Jamaica was also represented by Jabbor Kayumov, CEO of telecommunications company Digicel. Turning out for the diplomatic corps was Judith Slater, British high commissioner to Jamaica, and her husband, Phillip Dewaal.

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The tournament raised $1.4 million for its beneficiaries, the Montego Bay Animal Haven and Grange Hill Primary School at which partitions will be installed to create additional classrooms towards ridding the institution of the two-shift system.

Slater, a self-professed “sports fanatic”, said it was her first time at Negril Hills, having played on almost all the courses in Jamaica since being appointed high commissioner a year ago.

“It was lovely, great. We had a good time. My husband won one of the closest-to-the-pins. I like playing charity tournaments. We have a dog ourselves, so I am a fan of looking after stray animals,” she added.

Meanwhile, Morris, who in March posted the only under-par round to win the two-day Constant Spring Golf Classic by 11 shots, said the Negril Charity match was challenging but he felt right at home.

“The roughs were high and the greens uncatered but I just came and played. I have been in good nick and it showed. Negril is where I learned to play golf and everything came back,” Morris pointed out, adding that every tournament leading up to the Jamaica Open will be important for him.

“Though I have been defending Pro-Am champion for two years, I have never won the Open. I have placed in the top three. I have never been able to prepare well because it’s always in December. However, having been brought forward to November, it’s a good thing plus I understand it will be littered with pros from overseas, who had requested the change of date,” he added.