PRIZES AND SURPRISES were the order of the night on Sunday as players, sponsors and well-wishers gathered at the Rockley club house to celebrate the conclusion of the Rockley Open golf tournament.
Following two tough days of competition on the greens and fairways, the top players separated themselves from the challengers in the 36-hole tournament sponsored by Massy United Insurance, Digicel and Diamonds International.
A range of attractive prizes were handed out on awards night, which also featured merriment and entertainment, including an impromptu karaoke performance from former Barbados cricketer and golfer Franklyn Stephenson who did a Charlie Pride number.
Among those carrying off major prizes were defending champion Ivan Codrington, who came from two strokes down to win the men’s title for the second year running, and Lynn deCambra-Mcleod, who upstaged defending women’s champion Helen Foster.
Codrington shot 74 on the final day, for a two-day gross of 149, and was followed by Swedish visitor Richard Zaar (155) and former Barbados Davis Cup player Michael Date (157).
It was a significant comeback from the defending champion, among a field of 25 players, after Zaar and young Damian Wilfred had played themselves into the early lead with scores of 73 over the first 18 holes.
Wilfred found the going difficult on the second day and ended in fourth position with a gross 160, registering 87 on Sunday.
British visitor Kevin Prime, with a gross 167, won the men’s second flight, while George Wallace was second with 183. Anthony Kirton won the men’s first-flight nett prize with a score of 137.
Among the women, experienced Barbados player Lynn deCambra-Mcleod secured the title with a gross 163 after outplaying her rivals on both days.
Defending champion Helen Foster, who was third on the first day, made up some ground in posting a day’s best 82 on Sunday but was unable to overtake the leader and finished on 166. Fellow Barbados player Julia Stephenson was third with 168 while Christine Nash took the nett prize with a score of 146.
Seventy-four players, including several from Europe and North America, contested the tourney and club manager Mark Hasler said they were already looking forward to another successful tournament next year. (BB)