Close to 100 players, including most of the island’s top golfers, will be in action during this weekend’s RBC/RBTT Classic at the Barbados Golf Club in Durants, Christ Church.
The Classic, organised by the Barbados Golf Association, tees off this morning and will be contested over 36 holes, before concluding tomorrow afternoon.
One of the most popular tournaments on the local calendar, the sixth annual Classic caters to a wide range of golfers of varying handicaps and will be contested in two formats: strokeplay and Stableford.
More accomplished players will compete in strokeplay in four catergories: the men’s championship (nine-and-under handicap), men’s first flight (ten-to-18 handicap), senior men’s open, and ladies’ championship.
Higher handicap players will play the Stableford format in two categories: men (19-and-over handicap) and ladies (13-and-over handicap).
“Local and visiting players look forward every year to the Classic, and again this year we expect some very competitive golf in all catergories,” said BGA president Birchmore Griffith.
“There are also some nice prizes at stake.”
The BGA said a junior category was also being introduced to offer young players greater exposure to competition.
Fifteen-year-old Serena Smith, a national junior player and the women’s champion at the recent United Barbados Open, is not expected to compete among the female juniors. Instead, she will be seeking to pressure more seasoned rivals in a bid for a second major title this year.
She will have to fend off the likes of defending Classic champion Helen Foster, Julia Stephenson, and Lyn DeCambra Mcleod.
Veteran Orville Alleyne, who came out of retirement to win the men’s championship last year, is not expected to defend his title as he is fulfilling a contract overseas.
However, players such as Julian Jordan, Marcus Clarke, and Judd Cozier will be among those to watch.
Organisers said that the Durants course was in good shape despite some challenges associated with the passing of Tropical Storm Tomas in late October.
“We are ready to host the island’s top players and we know they are going to have an enjoyable tournament this weekend at the Barbados Golf Club,” said Trilicia Crawford, executive assistant at the Barbados Golf Club. (BB)
