Cayman teen makes golf history, heads to US Masters

Teenage golfer Aaron Jarvis became the first Caymanian in history to qualify for the US Masters after a thrilling final hole victory at the Latin America Amateur Championship on Sunday.

The win, secured with a birdie on the 18th hole, propelled 19-year-old Jarvis to the biggest stage in the sport.

He has earned a slot to compete against the greats of the game for the famous green jacket at the Masters in Augusta, Georgia, along with an invitation to the prestigious Open Championship in Scotland.

“It means the world to me. The opportunity to go to the Masters, the British Open. There’s no young golfer who doesn’t dream of anything but going to those tournaments.” – Aaron Jarvis

Jarvis finished on seven under par for the tournament after shooting three under par on the final day at Casa de Campo in the Dominican Republic, beating the next four contenders by one shot.

“I can’t even put this into words. What a day,” Jarvis told the Associated Press immediately after his victory.

“It means the world to me. The opportunity to go to the Masters, the British Open. There’s no young golfer who doesn’t dream of anything but going to those tournaments.”

 

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His mother Lana Jarvis told the Compass Sunday she is delighted for her son, who first picked up a golf club at age 12.

“This is history, it is such a tremendous achievement,’ she said.

“He told me when he left, ‘Mum, I am bringing home the trophy for you.’ I told him go and win it for yourself.”

Her main concern now is that his lifelong dream of competing in the Masters and the Open is not derailed by the virus.

“I am going to have a word with him and say you have got to stay COVID-free. He will have to be extra careful,” she added.

Jarvis learned the sport at the North Sound Golf Club, Cayman’s only 18-hole course. He currently plays golf for University of Nevada, Las Vegas.