By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

THE inclement weather forced the Bahamas Golf Federation to call off yesterday’s first day of competition in the Bahamas Golf Federation’s (BGF) 2021 RF Bank & Trust National Amateur Golf Championships at the Albany Golf Course.

But first vice president Anthony Hinsey said with three days left, they will still be in a position to complete the tournament and crown their new men and women’s champions this Father’s Day weekend.

With yesterday’s action washed out with Albany under water, the golfers will head over to the Ocean Golf Club on Paradise Island where the next two days of competition are slated to take place today and Saturday.

The championships are scheduled to wrap up on Father’s Day on Sunday at the Royal Blue Golf Course at Baha Mar.

“We had to cancel round one and it’s now a three-day event,” Hinsey said. “Once we play more than 64 holes we are good. We normally play 72 holes in four days, so it will only be three days now.”

There are a total of 70 golfers participating, including close to 20 from Grand Bahama. With the tournament last played in 2019, Paul Tsavoussis and Jenna Bayles are still the defending champions.

At the last Nationals two years ago, Tsavoussis pulled off a three shot victory over Richard Gibson Jr. Nadario Ferguson got third.

On the ladies’ side, Bayles captured the title over Ashley Michel. A’marie Smith finished third.

Bayles, by the way, showed that she’s in great form as she and Zion Taylor clinched the girls’ and boys’ respective BGF junior national titles at the Ocean Club.

“I think the other two golf courses are more favourable for the local golfers,” Hinsey said.

“They play those two courses more frequently than they do at Albany. So we’re expecting some very low scores tomorrow and Saturday. Sunday will be moving day because it’s the final round.” With about 17-20 competitors from Grand Bahama, Hinsey said the competition will once again be fierce because of the keen rivalry with the golfers from New Providence.

Tee time today and Saturday is scheduled for about 10am.

On Sunday, it’s expected that they will start around 7am to allow the golfers to spend some time with their families on Father’s Day.

Players in this year’s tournament are vying for spots on the men’s and women’s national teams that will represent the Bahamas at the Caribbean Amateur Golf Championships (CAGC) in Puerto Rico August 8-12.

This year, however, because of the COVID-19 restrictions, only six players, consisting of four men and two women, will get to represent the Bahamas as they play for the respective Hoerman Cup (for men) and George Teale Trophy (for women).

Lynford Miller is the president of the BGF.