Johnson one to beat at RBC Classic

Fri, January 27, 2012 - 12:02 AM

Perennial champion James Johnson will be the man to beat this weekend when the seventh annual Royal Bank Golf Classic tees off tomorrow at the Barbados Golf Club, Durants, Christ Church.

Just over 100 players, including several of the island’s top golfers, will hit the greens and fairways for the rescheduled two-day Classic which was rained out twice last year. Johnson, who missed the 2010 event, will be challenged by other men’s championship contenders Marcus Clarke and Judd Cozier.

Defending champion Stephen Layne, who is based in Canada, is unable to defend his title in the annual tournament organized by the Barbados Golf Association.

“After the original dates were rained out, golfers are eager to get on the course. We are anticipating an exciting weekend and some very competitive golf in all categories,” said Trenton Weekes, secretary of the Barbados Golf Association.

The women’s division will see Lyn DeCambra-Mcleod defending her crown, while trying to stave off threats from experienced rivals Julia Stephenson and Helen Foster.

The RBC Classic, being played over 36 holes, caters to a wide range of golfers of varying handicaps and will be contested in two formats (strokeplay and stableford) tomorrow and Sunday.

More accomplished players will compete in strokeplay in four categories which include men’s championship (9 and under handicap); men’s 1st Flight (10-18 handicap); senior men’s open and ladies championship.

Higher handicap golfers will play the stableford format in two categories – men (19 and over handicap) and ladies (13 and over handicap).

The senior men’s division is also expected to be highly competitive with the likes of Barbados players, Ricky Skeete, Michael Haynes and Kendrick Haynes seeking new year’s glory. (PR)