The compliments came thick and fast at Monday’s press conference on the Constance Belle Mare Plage Legend course to launch the inaugural MCB Tour Championship.
Among those in attendance were Australian Peter Fowler, who leads the Senior Tour order-of-merit, and Englishman Barry Lane, his only rival for the John Jacobs Trophy that is awarded to the season’s top money-winner.
Just over €25,500 separates the two men in the contest for Senior Tour supremacy and with €61,000 on offer to the winner, the contest could well go all the way to the final round.
Lane must finish first or second to stand any chance of overhauling Fowler, but the towering Australian, who is making his first visit to Mauritius, was taking nothing for granted:
“It’s always a battle when Barry’s playing,” he said. “He’s a tough competitor and he’s played well throughout the year.
“But it’s not just about us. There are a lot of guys who are good enough to win this week, so who knows what is going to happen.”
Lane responded: “Peter’s played great this year and he’s earned his place at the top of the order-of-merit.
“It’s nice that it has all come down to the last tournament and it’s going to be an exciting competition, whatever the outcome.”
US Champions Tour number one and former Open Championship winner Tom Lehman had only arrived from South Africa earlier in the day and he hadn’t had the chance to see the course.
“But what I’ve seen of the island so far is impressive. The water skiing is good, the snorkelling is good, the water is warm, the food is great and the beer is wonderful, so everything is fine so far.”
Defending Tour champion Mike Cunning has experience of the Legend course after appearing in the MCB Senior Open in the past two years.
He acknowledged that the challenge to defend his title could hardly be tougher, given the strength of the field.
“But right now I’ve got the title and they’ve got to take it off me.”
He added that they key to scoring well is to keep the ball straight and that should suit his game.
“It’s a good venue for the tournament,” he said, “and this week should be fun for everyone.”
Frenchman Marc Farry, who takes a good deal of credit for bringing top class golf to the island, said he would dearly love to win the tournament.
“But it’s getting tougher and tougher because the number of good players taking part is growing each year.”
Neil Webber
