Championships at Belmont Golf Club yesterday when he shot a final round of 74 to beat Ryan Hilts of the Bahamas by three shots after Hilts could only manage a 75.

Garland, 18, had led 21-year-old Hilts by two strokes going into the final round and Garland's best round of the four days was enough to see off the challenge of his nearest rival. Jeff Zmayefski of the United States finished a further eight strokes back in third place.

The biggest move of the day came from 14-year-old Robert Spurling of Bermuda who fired the best round of even-par 70 to finish third place overall and win his 13-14 division by a comfortable 18 shots over Quinton Sherlock.

Kyle Smith hung on in the boys 15-17 group even though he ballooned to an 86 over the course, which was his worst round of the tournament.

However, Smith still won by seven shots over Craig Smith who finished with an 80.

Alisa Hardy, as expected, continued her domination of the girls group with a final round of 76 for a four-round total of 313 and victory by 19 strokes. All to be decided was the runner-up spot, which went to American Molly Driscoll of Massachusetts, by three shots over fellow American Morgen McLaughlin.

Driscoll shot an 81 and McLaughlin an 86 to finish on 332 and 335 respectively.

Nathaniel Hoopes easily won the 12-and-under age group when he fired a final round of 81 to win over Alex Fox of the Bahamas.

In the Novice Division, Aaron James was victorious with 27 points in the Stableford competition to defeat Mark Robinson of Bermuda and William Haddrell of the United Kingdom who both finished on 20 points.

CHRIS GARLAND