Latest update March 18th, 2024 12:59 AM
Oct 17, 2019 Sports
By Zaheer Mohamed
The 2019 edition of the Guyana Open Golf tournament is anticipated to produce much excitement with top local golfers set to battle with their overseas counterparts in the various categories.
The tournament has attracted Ganesh Parts & General Store under their Bridgestone brand as its main sponsor for the third consecutive year. The competition will commence on October 26 and conclude the following day at the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC).
The male players will battle in the 0-9, 10-18, 19-28 and senior flights while the females will face off in the 0-14 /15 and 15/16-36 flights. Speaking at the launching ceremony which was held yesterday at the Marriott, President of the Lusignan Golf Club, Aleem Hussain expressed gratitude to the sponsors and said the sport has risen to a new level, adding that more people are now aware of golf in Guyana.
He said the course is in a fine shape and indicated that the competition will be keenly contested since a number of overseas players will grace the event.
“This year we have exceeded the number of tournaments expected. The Guyana Open is the most prestigious tournament in the region and we look forward to a fantastic week of activity as players have already started to arrive in the country. This has been a year of major partnership agreements and the latest is that of Copa Airlines which committed to not just the Guyana Open but a year-long venture that will continue for many years to come. With all of our partners, golf will continue to grow and we can again focus on programmes for women and children” said Hussain.
Also attending the ceremony were nine-time defending male champion Avenash Persaud, two-time female winner Dr. Joaan Deo, Treasurer Aasrodeen Shaw, PRO Bishop Guy Griffith and Ms. Sandra Bernal, Director of Sales of the Guyana Marriott.
Persaud said while he will not take anyone for granted he is looking forward to the challenge and expressed confidence of successfully defending his title. He added that he planned on continuing his quest to become the best golfer in the Caribbean by winning again and add to his Suriname Gross Title.
“I intend to take the Trinidad and Barbados titles in the coming months to consolidate my claim as the best golfer in the region with my sights set on the PGA if possible”. Dr. Deo, who is the acting Captain of the LGC, informed that 50% of the field will come from Trinidad, Barbados, Suriname, Colombia, Venezuela, USA and Canada, adding that they are excited to have them on board.
Bernal said they are happy to be part of the tournament and stated that she is pleased with the step that Guyana’s leading hotel has taken. “In every country, Marriott is associated with sports and golf in particular, and we wanted to ensure that Guyana was no different from the other markets we operate in around the world. We entered into this partnership based on the relationship we have developed with Hussain over the years and knew that our brand would receive the standards we expect. That is why we placed our name on the first golf carts at the LGC and will host our customer Appreciation Week golf tournament there on November 3; we hope to make it an annual event”.
LGC Treasurer Aasrodeen Shaw explained that the cost of operating the facility at the highest level was no easy task, but the leadership of the current executive with major partnerships allowed for the development of the facilities to accommodate the incoming surge of players, ex-pats and tourists.
Griffith confirmed that the LGC had exceeded its goal of events in 2019. “With the number of tournaments and activities such as the recent Soca & Wine Festival, the LGC has achieved a level of recognition previously not met” said Griffith.
“The sport has been growing very fast under the current management and we have had more tournaments this year than previous years. One of the recent positives is that Hussain and Dr. Deo have been conducting sessions for the University students and other youths and the intention is to push golf as far as it can go in Guyana and to produce top quality golfers.”
Registration for the Guyana Open closes next Wednesday (October23) and the entrance fee for members is just US$150 and non-members US$200 which includes: welcome cocktail, gift bag, practice round, meals and on-course beverages, along with awards dinner and trophies. The defending female champion is Christine Sukhram.
To register for the tournament, golfers can call 220 5660; anyone willing to obtain free tickets to the event, or visit the course for free lessons and use the Macorp sponsored lighted driving range, can also make contact through the above number.
The Guyana Open 2019 is co-sponsored by; Macorp, Guyana Marriott, ToolsiePersaud, Copa Airlines, Panko Steel Fabrication, Bulkan Timbers, Oddessy Transport Services, Comfort Sleep, BM Soat, A. Ahmad Hydraulics, New India Insurance, Progressive Auto Rentals, IMON Wireless, Steve’s Jewellery, Trophy Stall, Ansa Mcal, Sissons Paint, Chetson’s, Oasis Café, ACH Inc., Banks DIH, CIDI (Blue Waters), Nayelli Salon, AR Printery, Giftland Mall, Guyana Beverages, New Trend Auto, West Indian Sports Complex, Pulse Entertainment, Southland, Massy Group of Companies, ModFin Spa, Gafoors, Ganesh Parts & General Store- Bridgestone, El Dorado (DDL) and NexGen Global Marketing Services.
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