Hastings celebrates with the Jarvis brothers in Buenos Aires after holding on to secure the win by a single stroke. – Photo: LAAC
Aaron Jarvis, who captivated his country after winning the 2022 Latin America Amateur Championship, experienced another triumph at this year’s event, only this time he was celebrating the success of countryman Justin Hastings.
The two Caymanian golfers have been teeing off against one another since before they were teenagers, experiencing the highest of highs and lowest of lows together.
Now the pair share the two greatest achievements their nation has ever seen in the sport, and both were present each time history was made for Cayman.
“He’s worked so hard for it. He was there when I won, and to be there when he won was pretty special,” Jarvis told the Compass.
“We’ve been playing golf since we were 11 years old, every day at the same course together. So it’s pretty cool to see his success, and this is going to motivate me to get better and keep striving for great things as well.”
Hastings feels the same motivation, noting that it was Jarvis’ win in 2022 that inspired him.
From left, Justin Hastings, and Aaron and Andrew Jarvis at the Pilar Golf Club. – Photo: Supplied
Now Hastings will go on to compete against the world’s best golfers, and Jarvis has no doubt that his friend will do well.
“[It] means a lot for Caribbean golf, for Cayman golf, and just shows that you can come from small places and make big things happen. He’s going to go on and have a great year and do well at the [US] Masters, and hopefully he can enjoy the whole experience that comes and continue to get better.”
‘Not an easy game’
Since Jarvis hoisted the prestigious Latin America Amateur Championship trophy in 2022, he has been hoping to become the first two-time winner of the event.
“There is always a little pressure on yourself to try and be the first person to win it twice, but when I was there, I just had to set that aside and focus on my game,” Jarvis said.
Jarvis got off to a promising start with a two-under-par 70 and was inside the top 30, ahead of Hastings and brother Andrew.
From hockey rink to golf course: Hastings set for stardom
However, things got rocky in the second 18 holes.
“I started pretty well … And then I had two bad holes at the start of my second round, which really put me out of the tournament,” Jarvis said.
“My expectations were to go there and compete to win. Obviously, I didn’t have the best of weeks, so that happens in the sport of golf because golf is not an easy game, but I learned a lot and can use that going forward.”
