SEVERAL of the island’s top golfers are still celebrating after an exciting 12th edition of the RBC Golf Classic, which was staged last weekend at the Barbados Golf Club.
After 36 holes on a testy Durants course in brilliant sunshine, players collected their rewards and awards during a ceremony in the clubhouse on Sunday night – hosted by the sponsors RBC and tournament organisers, the Barbados Golf Association.
RBC vice president Wenrick Clarke and BGA President Trevor Tasker thanked the players, officials and BGC staff for a highly successful tournament, which attracted 116 players.
The operations staff at BGC was also particularly lauded for being able to produce a good course after heavy rains leading up to the Classic.
Clarke said the sponsors were happy to partner with the BGA for the Classic, which is a highlight of the local golf calendar, and which allowed local and international golf enthusiasts to match wits and skills over two days.
“It makes us particularly proud to serve such a higher purpose as doing so allows us to create opportunities for our clients beyond our banking halls. For us, success isn’t only measured by the dollar value of a transaction. We seek opportunities to help our clients and communities build a better future,” Clarke said.
He disclosed RBC had a rich history of supporting golf around the world and listed the Canadian Open and the RBC Heritage as two of the globally recognised events.
The RBC executive said the company was particularly pleased to partner the BGA in creating the RBC High Performance Award for deserving juniors in Barbados, which will assist with the development of young players both on and off the course.
This year, the High Performance Award is jointly shared by 14 year-old Oaziah Layne, the winner of the men’s first flight, and 15-year-old Iz Hustler, who are two of the island’s most promising juniors.
Among the top performers in the RBC Classic were: men’s champion Carlsen Leacock (gross 155); women’s champion Julia Stephenson (172), men’s first flight winner Oaziah Layne (157); women’s stableford winner Eryn Blakeley (70 points); men’s stableford winner Alwyn Browne (73 points); senior men’s stableford winner Tony Reece (70 points); senior men’s strokeplay champion Richard Payne (149); and super Seniors champion Ricky Skeete (gross 153).
The next event on the BGA’s calendar is the year-ending Presidents Putter at the Royal Westmoreland course on December 11. (PR)
