RON Barbé, Seychelles' Tiger Woods, destroyed a very large and competitive field of more than 40 golfers by playing some great golf to win this year's National Championship sponsored by Mahe Shipping and played last weekend at the Seychelles Golf Club, Anse Aux Pins.

Two-handicapper Barbé, who last year set a new course record of gross 63 (nett 60) to erase the old best of 64 held by Charlie Morin for over a decade, was the worthy winner with a gross 139 after two days of fierce competition to succeed 2001 winner Godfrey Andrade, a three-time champion.

Described as "Mr Consistent" by his peers, Barbé was led by William Weidner with a gross 66 after the first of the two-day championship which comprised 36 holes medal play with 18 holes being played on each day.

Leader Weidner's challenge was cooled off on the second day, Sunday, as on fire Barbé shot 70 compared to the former's 76 to finish with a gross 139 and capture his second National Championship after his first in 1999.

An eight-time runner-up of the National Championship, Barbé, who was third out of 250 competitors during a recent competition in Mauritius, told Sports Nation that the win was easy.

"I was not troubled at all and I played some great golf on both days to win probably my last National Championship because I want to give the young talents the chance to write their names on the big trophy," said the multiple best golfer of the year recipient.

Asked why a good golfer like him was thinking of making way for the juniors, 25-year-old Barbé replied:

"Sometimes you feel like there is no way out and you are forced to call it quit. I have been playing good golf for a number of years and people (Seychellois and foreigners alike) have been asking me why I wasn't considering turning professional. It is my wish to sit my exam to one day play golf at professional level, but you need to get the backing of the local sports authorities to do so. Until now, this hasn't been the case. At 25 years old, my days as a golfer are being numbered and I hope an opportunity will knock on my door soon so that I can make the most of my skills. On top of that, I have to buy all my equipment which cost a lot," noted a somewhat dejected Barbé, who works as an instructor with the current crop of Seychellois golfers whom he described as "talented".

Runner-up to Barbé in the running for the National Championship crown was William Weidner with a gross 142, while Peggy Pragassen, who easily won the women's gross with a score of 188 last year, claimed the ladies' prize once again with a gross 163.

Like last year, Godfrey Andrade took the first prize in the gold division nett (handicaps 0-9) with a total of 131 followed in second place by young nine-handicapper Jerry Jean-Baptiste with 133.

Margaret Pragassen was the winner of the silver division (handicaps 10-18) with 131 and Harold Prea followed in second position on 138.

In the bronze division (handicaps 19 and above), Patrick Flore won with a total of 136 from Robert Savy who finished second with 143.

Wilson Volcère registered the best day one nett with 67, while Andrew Hoareau took day two with 62

Four-handicapper William Weidner claimed both prizes for the longest drives – on 9th hole on Saturday and on the 18th hole on Sunday.

Nearest to the pin were Margaret Pragassen on the fourth hole on Saturday and Andrew Hoareau on the fifth hole on Sunday.