ROCKLEY GOLF-1926 to 2026 CENTENARY YEAR
The Story of Rockley golf is not just a story about the golf course or the properties, but also about the people who made Rockley the way it is today, locals and visitors. Our club played an important role in the development of golf in Barbados.
Our story began with George Manning and his good friends Vicki and his brother ‘Poor Bob’ Parravicino, the founding fathers who were visionaries, entrepreneurs and successful businessman. George was the catalyst and driving force in the 1930s, although his main interest was business and his sport was not golf but bird shooting. His Private Members Club brought the aristocracy of Barbados commerce, including the first Rockley Men’s Captain, West Indies and Barbados cricket legend Sir HGB ‘Harry’ Austin, to Rockley.
George generously sold to the corporate members in 1946, some said it was gifted as a peppercorn, but the committee took it to another level post-war. At the time it was the only golf course, but in due course other clubs were founded, some with spectacular courses. Despite the competition, Rockley survived the tough years.
Our story tells of closure and developers in 1975 with clusters of condominiums surrounding the fairways that changed the ambience of Rockley forever. It also brought Club Rockley Resort, a thriving hotel and the buzz of entertainment and hospitality for over two decades. The members willingly endorsed the transformation with the influx of overseas owners and the growth of the Snowbirds culture in the 1990s that made the ‘19th Hole’ such a great atmosphere on Saturday evenings.
Rockley Hotel and course folded in 2003 but thankfully Ian Dowding, a stalwart of the 1950s era, bought the course and clubhouse. Throughout their tenure the members had an excellent relationship, but when the company wanted to sell in 2012, the golf members and property owners formed a Shareholders company and purchased in 2016. The new owners leased to the Club and despite the ups and downs, Rockley golf reached a magical milestone of 100 years.
The book is packed with photos, images, illustrations and sketches.
Special thanks to Denny Foster, an authority of Barbados golf, for his Foreword and editing, and Clare Stewart and Pamela Hiles who also edited the finished product.
Thanks also to Sue Lumsden, Ian Dowding, Denny Foster and Clarence Hiles for photos, Glenn Thompson for sketches and Peter Harding for the Clubhouse sketch, Chris Conville and Michael Worme of COT Holdings Ltd.
The author would like to thank everyone who has contributed to this book, especially the Donors.
The Book can be purchased from the Rockley Pro Shop for B’dos $50.00 a copy.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT-
ORLANDO CRICHLOW-General Manager: Tel-256 6043 Orlando.crichlow@rockleygolfclub.com
CLARENCE HILES-Author and Club Captain: Tel-230 9215 jamesclarencehiles@gmail.com
