A Lookback At The Legends Tour Hosted By Ian Woosnam At Apes Hill

For the uninitiated, the Legends Tour is one of the most prestigious golfing tournaments in the world for players over 50, and a revered gathering of golfing greats from Ryder Cup to Major championship winners. Now, it also holds the accolade of being the first major golf tournament to return to the Caribbean in 15 years, and the first world-class tournament to be played at the latest Caribbean masterpiece- Apes Hill Barbados. 

The Barbados Legends Tour, hosted by Ian Woosnam, a former world number one and Apes Hill’s brand ambassador, was the perfect introduction to tournament play for our course, which is designed to be a course which both professional and amateur golfers would want to play again and again. With the tournament featuring the unparalleled opportunity for amateurs to play alongside a pantheon of golfing greatness, it was a nail-biting weekend with a dramatic finish set against the stunning backdrop of the island’s lush landscape.

Hosted by the legend himself, Ian Woosnam, a five-time champion of the Legends Tour, Masters Champion and former world number one, the Barbados chapter of this world-class tournament was poised to be spectacular. The Welshman, who was also named Apes Hill’s ambassador in January, was named Legends Tour Rookie of the Year in 2008 and also claimed the Order of Merit Title for the season. Woosnam was one of Europe’s “Big Five” golfers who dominated golf through the 80s and 90s. 

For the Barbados Legends, Woosnam was joined by 59 other professional players representing England, Australia, Sweden, USA, France, South Africa, Germany, Wales, Argentina, Brazil, Scotland, Italy, Austria, New Zealand, Canada, Denmark, India, Ireland and Spain, who ventured across the challenging, yet playable terrain of Apes Hill for this iconic golfing extravaganza. 

The field featured the top three finishers in last year's money list: Englishman Peter Baker, Brazilian Adilson Da Silva, and South African James Kingston. Joining them were Argentine Angel Cabrera and New Zealander Michael Campbell, who are both Major winners like Woosnam, as well as Englishmen Phillip Archer and Philip Golding, Swedes Patrik Sjoland and Michael Jonzon, Spaniards Miguel Angel Martin and Santiago Luna, Welshman Phillip Price, Indian Jeev Milkha Singh, and Argentine José Coceres. Some of the biggest names in golf took to the task to see who would come out on top in the first leg of the Legends Tour. 

The weekend was also a wonderful opportunity to host 10 amateur individuals from Barbados, Mauritius, Ireland, Scotland, England and Canada, who played alongside these greats for all to see. From professionals to amateurs, spectators were treated to a spectacle of sportsmanship, camaraderie, and sheer talent, straight to the very last day, to see who would walk away with the champion title. 

The weekend was a thrill for amateurs and professionals alike, with players recording impressive stats throughout. Sweden’s Mikael Lundberg had the round of the day and the new course record with a 65 while Scott Hend recorded a 68 and 66 in the opening rounds. Winner, Peter Baker opened with two back-to-back rounds of 67, setting the stage for a final showdown on day three. It was a great weekend for golf, with the top finishers bringing new records to the newly opened championship course. We extend congratulatory sentiments to all players, especially the top finishers in both the professional and amateur categories shown below. 

A high level of sportsmanship was exhibited throughout the tournament, which brought a hive of activity across Apes Hill’s sprawling resort. Visit The Legends Tour website for the full results. 

Tucked away amidst the rolling hills and lush tropical landscapes of Barbados, Apes Hill stands as a beacon of golfing excellence in the Caribbean. We are proud to be renowned for the stunning panoramic vistas overlooking both the east and west coasts of the island,  and the challenging course design, offering golf enthusiasts an unforgettable experience on the fairways, from the most elevated golf course on the island. Its 18-hole Championship course with bonus 19th-hole accommodates golfers of all levels with four tees on each hole with various distances, while the 9-hole short course is just right for a quick round or family outing. Coupled with its state-of-the-art Performance Centre featuring the latest technology, golf at Apes Hill is a truly elevated experience. 

If you’d like to learn more about how you can live, stay and play at Apes Hill, enquire with us today.