The major titles in the RBC Royal Bank Golf Classic have gone to familiar names.
Perennial champion James Johnson continued his domination of the men’s division while Muffin Stollmeyer added another prestigious title to her women’s collection as the two-day RBC Classic concluded at the Barbados Golf Club yesterday.
Johnson, who led the field by two strokes on the first day, posted a gross 71 over the final 18 holes.
The champion posted 141 for the tournament while Judd Cozier (two handicap), Stephen Layne and Ansari Muhajiri were tied in second slot on 151.
Cozier shot scores of 73 and 78, while Canada-based Layne, the 2010 champion, registered 75 and 76 and Muhajiri, 75 and 76.
Stollmeyer, who won the United Open in September, captured her second major title in three months as she shrugged off a challenge from her mother, Lyn deCambra-McLeod, to win the women’s division.
Stollmeyer, playing on a four handicap, followed up her even par 72 on the first 18 holes with a 78 yesterday to register a two-day gross 150, which was five shots better than 2010 champion deCambra-Mcleod (155).
Eleven year-old Mavi Vegos, who has been showing improvement with every tournament, finished third with a gross 166 while veteran Julia Stephenson was fourth with 186.
Long-standing Barbados player Robert Piggott stamped his authority on the senior men’s division, turning back a challenge from his partner Ricky Skeete to grab the trophy by four clear strokes. Piggott shot 76 over the last 18 holes to finish with a gross 153, while Skeete shot 157 and Michael Haynes 160.
Neville Brewster played himself to the podium in the men’s first flight, as he shot 80 yesterday to lift the trophy with a 36-hole gross 166.
Second in a 34-player field that featured players with 10 to 19 handicaps, was Ricardo Jarvis (167) and third, John Layne (168).
Realtor Richie Alleyne maintained his grip on the super seniors division (players over age 60) as he posted 79 yesterday, adding to his first day gross 75 to win by four strokes with a two-day gross 154. Second was Bruce Tudor (158) while Alberto Marinez was third with 162.
More than 100 players from Barbados, the Caribbean, Canada and England competed, among them cricket legend and National Hero Sir Garfield Sobers and former Barbados cricketer Nolan Clarke. (BB)
