Teen triumphs on green to take title at Junior Classic

Damian Palanyandi continued his winning ways on the local junior golf scene at Tucker’s Point last week.

The 18-year-old, who enrols at the University of Rhode Island next month, captured the senior boys’ title at the fifth annual Ross Blackie Talbot Junior Classic by a commanding eight shots.

Palanyandi led the field throughout the 54-hole tournament to finish 10 shots over par with a three-day total of 221.

Promising

The former Saltus ­student said it was special to finally make the breakthrough at this particular event.

He added: “This was my fourth year competing at this event, where I’ve always come up short.

“It feels pretty good to finally come out on top.”

Like the rest of the field, the promising golfer was confronted with trying conditions.

He said: “It was really hot and the breeze picked up so the balls were flying and going all over the place. But overall it wasn’t too bad and the greens were pretty receptive and not bumping as much as they used to.”

Palanyandi carded a six over par 76 during the final round and reckons he could have gone lower with a better display with the putter.

He said: “My putting was a little bit off and I was having trouble reading the greens.

“But I’ve been practising my short game for a month now, which has really paid off.”

Runner-up in the senior boys division behind Palanyandi were locals Ryan Benevides (229) and Ryan Roberts (231).

Bermuda’s Zayla Smith (297) won the girls open division by two shots over compatriot Elizabeth Parsons (299), while Americans Justin Stagg (239) and Jonathan Diforio (135) won the boys 12 and under and novice nine hole divisions respectively.

Italy’s Andrea de Bono (220) won the boys 13 to 15 division by four shots over American Sean Boyle.

Tournament director Alex Madeiros described last week’s tournament as a huge success.

He said: “We had 19 ­participants from overseas from as far as Italy, Germany, the U.K. and the U.S., so the participation level was quite high.

“We had 48 to 50 participants altogether, so it was definitely a success.”