A new champion has been crowned for the 2014 United Insurance/ Digicel/Diamonds International Rockley Open golf tournament.
Rockley regular Ivan Codrington edged defending champion and six-time winner Judd Cozier to lift the men’s Open title for the first time on Sunday.
After a competitive two days, where both players posted a gross 148 over 36 holes, Codrington was adjudged winner on the count-back system for his consistent scores of 37 on the front nine and 37 on the back on the final day.
 The champion missed a birdie putt on the 18th hole that could have made him a clear winner.
For Codrington, the outcome might have influenced by divine intervention.
“I prayed to win this one for my pastor, Michael Holford, who was buried on Saturday. I wanted to dedicate this win to him and I am really happy,” said Codrington.
Cozier, who led the field by three strokes on Saturday, stumbled over the last 18 holes on Sunday as he shot 78 and was unable to separate himself from the pack.
Veteran Barbados player Helen Foster, who won the women’s title in 2012, returned to the podium this year as she upstaged Guyana-born defending champion Debbie Fung.
Foster, who led the field by four strokes on Saturday, shot a gross 159 over 36 holes while Fung, who finished third, registered 170. Second was Julia Stephenson with a two-day gross of 167.
Eighty-five players, including several of the island’s top golfers and a number of promising juniors, took part in the prestigious annual tournament that also attracted more than 35 players from Canada and England.
Former Barbados junior captain Donald Leacock finished third with a gross 149.
Barbados juniors Xavier Wiggins of Queen’s College and Iz Hustler of Combermere finished in mid-table and would have gained valuable experience
Simone Ward took the women’s net first prize with a score of 129 (over 36 holes) while Wendy McIntyre was second (138) and Pamela Hiles third on 140.
Ollie Newman emerged men’s net champion with a score of 137 while Livy Webster was second (139) and Anthony Kirton third with 140. (BB)
