They formed their friendship through their amateur days and continue to share a laugh despite preparing to come up against each other on the Champions Tour.
And even though they would both dearly love to get their hands on the New Zealand Open trophy this week, they continue to be in good spirits together.
Australian veteran Jones, who does not turn 50 until March but punched his ticket for the Champions Tour at a qualifier in December, said his body had already given him a gentle reminder of his forthcoming senior status.
"It’s funny, because I’ve always been a size 32 waist and ever since I’ve sort of joined the Champions Tour in December, the waist size is going out," Jones said.
Alker described Jones as a great addition to the tour, and Jones looked forward to spending more time with his great mate.
"It’s just exciting that I’ll be joining the Champions Tour and getting to see Steve up close and personal on a weekly basis," Jones said.
"It’s exciting now being the youngest one out there, so this is probably the best opportunity I’m ever going to get. Hopefully, I can hit the ground running."
Alker, 53, and Jones are at the more mature end of the golf spectrum at Millbrook this week, but that does not stop them believing they have what it takes.
"There’s no reason why a 50 year old can’t win," Jones said.
Jones, who won the New Zealand Open in 2023, said he was a little "rusty" for early on in the season, having played his first event in Sydney last week and missed the cut by "plenty".
But Jones — who says he feels like a Kiwi when he visits Millbrook — felt fresh and ready for the week ahead and had no qualms he would find his groove quickly.
"There’s not too many tournaments that I turn up to and I’m just happy from the word go.
"Even before I had the success of a couple of years ago . . . it’s the first tournament that I put into my schedule every year and knowing what I’ve got around the corner after this — I feel like a kid again."
Alker finished second in Morocco on the Champions Tour earlier this month and felt good heading into a week back home.
"I’m just happy to be back in New Zealand and giving it another crack," Alker said.
"I don’t know how many I’ve got left in me, so I’m just happy to be down here.”
It was a big commitment for Alker to return to New Zealand for the tournament, but having his name etched on the trophy would be priceless.
"It’d be huge and an honour.
"You look at the names on there, going way back, Bob Charles and Michael Campbell ... there’s quite a history there.
"I’ve come close a couple of times — we’re talking early 2000s — but it’d just be amazing, especially where I’m playing right now."
Both agreed the tournament had a much deeper field than before and the added incentive of entry to the British Open at Royal Portrush was huge.
"Open’s the greatest tournament in the world, I think," Alker said.
"It’s a credit to the tournament too, to get that spot.
"It doesn’t just happen every day and they don’t just give them out to anybody.
"I think it just shows — the tournament — how much it’s grown and they recognised that we’ve got an international field. It’s special."
Alker expected the course to hold up fine after rain yesterday, and warmer temperatures are expected for today.
