Vacant Johnnie Walker Classic title up for grabs at Ocean View

Colin Thompson

Created: Sep 19, 2026 07:22 AM

Nick Jones (File photograph by Blaire Simmons)

A new champion will be crowned in the prestigious Johnnie Walker Classic at Ocean View Golf Course tomorrow.

Last year’s winner Quinton Sherlock Jr is not back to defend his title among a stellar field, which includes the likes of Nick Jones, Camiko Smith and Daniel Augustus, who all secured their spot in the Butterfield Bermuda Championship in the Local Qualifier at Port Royal Golf Course last week.

“Quinton won’t be defending his title this year. Unfortunately he won’t be on island, so there will be a new champion crowned this year,” organising committee chairman and Ocean View head professional OJ Pitcher told The Royal Gazette.

Sherlock proudly donned the coveted yellow jacket for the first time after going wire to wire to prevail by two shots in last year’s 36-hole championship at the Devonshire golf course.

Quinton Sherlock Jr receives his yellow jacket for winning the Johnnie Walker Classic from Jason Wade, chairman of Bermuda Government Golf Courses, last year (File photograph)

It’s now anybody’s guess who will claim the vacant crown, with some of the island’s top professional and amateur golfers expected to be thick in the hunt.

“It’s a very strong and huge field,” said Pitcher, who is also competing in the championship.

Ocean View teaching professional Jones has enjoyed success this year having picked up a first win of the season on the Moongate Tour in July and also topped the field at last week’s Butterfield Bermuda Championship.

Fellow professionals Smith and Augustus, who finished second and third in the Butterfield Bermuda Championship Local Qualifier, are also showing signs they are rounding into good form.

Jarryd Dillas (File photograph by Blaire Simmons)

Turtle Hill Golf Club director and Bermuda Professional Golfers Association secretary Scott Roy, who has also come on in leaps and bounds lately, and fellow professional Chaka DeSilva are also capable of mounting strong challenges for the title.

Also expected to be in contention is Jarryd Dillas, while fellow amateur and Ocean View stalwart Aaron James is fresh off an impressive top ten showing on the Moongate Tour at Port Royal earlier this month.

Among the field is Ebonie Cox, who is competing in the professional division and is the lone woman playing in the tournament.

Also among the noticeable absentees are professionals Dwayne Pearman and Kenny Leseur.

The championship gets under way with first round action at Ocean View today.