Barbados’ top golfers will be up against several from overseas when the 2017 RBC/Royal Bank Classic tees off on Saturday at the Barbados Golf Club.
Rated as the second biggest tournament on the BGA’s calendar, the two-day RBC Classic will be played over 36 holes, providing golfers with the opportunity to collect points to improve their international amateur ranking status.
A challenging but friendly course is awaiting players, and tournament director Mike Jackman reported that the Durants course was in good shape following recent upgrading work.
“We are ready to host the island’s leading players in the Classic and we are expecting some exciting golf. Players can expect the greens to be relatively fast and consistent, and those who are able to hit the fairways with tee-shots should also relish good distance for good drives,” said Jackman.
Defending champion Carlsen Leacock, 2010 winner Stephen Layne, who arrived on Monday from Canada, and Barbados national players Julian Jordan, Simon Proverbs, Maurice Forde, 2013 champion Dawn Bispham and former Jamaica player Mark Blakeley have been among those warming up this week for the major competition.
Top juniors Iz Hustler, Xzavier Wiggins, Oaziah Layne, Dario Sargeant and females Alyssa Inniss-Gittens (the reigning Barbados Open champion), and Emily Odwin have also been fine-tuning their skills for the tournament.
Barbados captain James Johnson, who has also won the RBC Classic on a number of occasions, is unlikely to be among the contenders in the championship flight this year owing to prior commitments.
This 13th annual Classic coincides with Independence Games being hosted by the Barbados Olympic Association and close to 100 players, many of them wearing yellow and blue to simulate the national colours, are expected on the greens and fairways.
BGA president Trevor Tasker disclosed that the RBC Classic was one of the most eagerly anticipated tournaments on the island and thanked the sponsors, RBC Royal Bank and Royal Fidelity, for their continued commitment to the event. (PR/EZS)
