Bermuda’s junior golfers did the island proud after finishing runners-up at the North America Cup in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, this week.

The nine-member team finished at 31-under in the three-day event featuring Canada and hosts Mexicohe Greg Norman designed Vidanta Vallarta golf course.

Bermuda were tied for second with Canada behind the host country after the opening day of the event on Monday.

The island’s junior golfers turned it up a few notches the following day with a superb collective performance in greensomes (alternate shot) leaving them alone in second heading into Wednesday’s third and final day of the event.

The final round featured a three-way singles match-play format. Hosts Mexico were able to capitalise on their familiarity with the course and produced a dominant performance to consolidate their position at the top of the standings.

Behind the Mexicans, Bermuda managed the final-day battle effectively, securing 55 per cent of the total available points to firmly secure second place, much to the delight of Bermuda Golf Association president Craig Brown, who hailed the island’s junior golfers for their outstanding showing.

“The week overall has been a resounding success,” he told The Royal Gazette.

“Team Bermuda producedan outstanding performance to secure a convincing second place overall. Every member of the eight-player team contributed during the week, demonstrating both the depth of the squad and the continued development of Bermuda golf.

“Significantly, 50 per cent of the team were representing Bermuda for the first time, making the result particularly encouraging from a player-development perspective. Four players gained their first experience representing the country in international team competition while contributing to a Bermuda side that ultimately finished well clear of Canada.

“The strategy on day two in greensomes — an alternate shot format — catapulted us in to second. The team match-ups on the final day of singles three way match play paid dividends.

“These junior athletes shone this week, and a massive thank you to Kathleen and Carlos Moniz and Gareth Tavares, who served as official team management.”

Bermuda’s team comprised of captain Sa-Qui Robinson, Arman Newton, William Weston, Grayson Tavares, Ramsey Soutter, Lachlan Soutter, Max Parry, Damian Moniz and Kailia Matthews.

Robinson, Newton, Weston, Tavares and Ramsey and Lachlan Soutter competed in the Junior Boys’ division, Parry and Moniz in the Bantam Boys’ division and Matthews in the Bantam Girls’ division.

Champions Mexico finished at 80-under and Canada at five-under. Guatemala was also scheduled to compete but ultimately withdrew.