Golf Classic a success

Promising 15-year-old golfer Donald Leacock came an impressive second. (GP)

Wed, February 01, 2012 - 12:03 AM

After being hit by rain twice last year, the 7th RBC Classic golf tournament came off in brilliant sunshine last weekend at the Barbados Golf Club where two of the island’s juniors sounded warnings to senior competitors.

Top Barbados player James Johnson won the men’s championship title to add to his growing collection, but teenagers Donald Leacock and Spencer Smith announced their presence with impressive strokeplay in a competitive field.

Leacock, a 15-year-old Harrison College student with a four handicap, emerged as an early contender to favourite Johnson over the first 18 holes where he shot 77, and maintained his form on the final day posting 78, for a gross 155 and a second place finish.

For his play as a top Barbados junior over the past three years, and his impressive performance in the RBC Classic, Leacock was presented with the Barbados Golf Association’s RBC Junior High Performance Award.

Top female player Serena Smith took the RBC youth award in 2010 and attended a number of overseas tournaments last year.

“This annual award is given to a young golfer who demonstrates that they have the requisite balance of talent, discipline, a willingness to succeed and the quality of character which is commensurate with the standards of RBC/RBTT,” said Rae Skinner, RBC’s market-head for business banking.

Skinner, who spoke at the awards ceremony on Sunday at the Durants Club House, said RBC was happy to support the annual Classic and was also committed to youth development.

Thirteen-year-old Spencer Smith, a student of The St Michael School, also advertised good potential as he took the championship trophy in the men’s first flight, which features players with 11 to 19 handicaps. He posted a gross 167 over 36 holes.

The RBC Classic was organized by the Barbados Golf Association and president Birchmore Griffith thanked Royal Bank for their solid support of the tournament over the years and described the just concluded Classic as a success. (PR)