Former West Indies cricket captain Sir Richie Richardson was among players teeing off yesterday in the new Digicel/Virgin Atlantic Open tournament at the Barbados Golf Club.
Antiguan-born Richardson, the current West Indies team manager who played 86 Tests for the regional team between 1983 and 1995, is competing in the top flight of the two-day tournament among players with zero to nine handicaps.
Sir Richie, who said it was his first time on the greens and fairways of the course at Durants, Christ Church, looked competitive in a four-ball group that also included Barbados player Michael Haynes, former Jamaica player Mark Blakeley and veteran Charles Cox.
Sir Richie, playing off a seven handicap, shot a gross 86 and was slotted mid-table after the first 18 holes of the tournament.
Under blue skies and bright sunshine yesterday, 80 male and female players began their quest for glory and attractive prizes in five divisions in the tournament, which is being contested over 36 holes.
Based on scores available at press time, Barbados players Carlsen Leacock and Ricky Skeete were among the front-runners on the first day.
Leacock shot a one-over-par 73 while Skeete, also a former national cricketer and competing among the seniors (50 years and over), shot a three-over 75.
Former Barbados junior captain Donald Leacock was four strokes off the pace in the championship flight, with a gross 77.
Veteran Livy Webster (11 handicap) was among the front-runners in the men’s first flight with a gross 81.
Play continues today at 7 a.m. (BB)
