FORMER Guyana Open Champion, Mike Mangal (64/9) ended in the top spot and walked away with the winner’s trophy, prevailing over Kalyan Tewari (68/9) and Rabindranath Persaud (68/24) in the Scotiabank’s Golfing for Charities tournament held last Saturday at the Lusignan Golf Course. The golfers teed off excitedly at 12:45pm, and by the time it was over, it was Mangal who was declared the winner of the event.For his winning effort,he was presented with $150,000 that will go towards funding a children’s charity of his choice,under Scotiabank’s Bright Future Programme.
Tewari won $100,000 for his charity,while Persaud (Pandit Ravi) won $75,000,which will be donated to a charity of his choice under the program.
Speaking after the win, Mangal noted that things were just in his favour and that lead to his victory. Mangal won despite having recently suffered serious head injuries, and only three months after being hospitalized
“I just had a good game today. My short game [meaning his chip and putt play] was excellent, and that helped me to win.” Mangal said
Last year’s winner, Mahendra Bhagwandin, came in fourth,just behind Persaud.
Tied with over net score of 68 each, it was the back 9 scores that saw Tewari (42) and Persaud (48) prevailing over Bhagwandin (49).
Other close contenders at the top were Andre Cummings (69/12), Aleem Hussain (69/17), Parmanand Persaud (70/14) and 4 net 72 scorers Bholawram Deo, Fazil Haniff, Gavin Todd and Patrick Prashad.
In other awards of the day, Dr Philbert London (Pope Emmanuel) won “Nearest to the Pin”, while “Longest Putt” went to Hilbert Shields. “Best Gross” (73) was won by Mike Mangal while Troy Cadogan walked away with the ‘Most Honest Golfer’award.
Additionally, Ian Gouviea saw himself receiving a left-handed club this year, after he had also won a club last year, but it being a right handed club he could not receive it. This goodwill gesture was presented by Bank Manager, Brian Hackett.
Club President,Oncar Ramroop,expressed thanks to Scotiabank,and particularly the representatives of Scotiabank,Robb Street Branch: Hackettt, and Marketing Manager, Jennifer Cipriani, during a small presentation ceremony that followed the competition.
Making remarks on behalf of the Bank,Cipriani expressed the company’s joy at being able to support the activity.
“Thank you for having Scotiabank as a partner with Lusignan Golf Club. Scotiabank is keen on helping people to get better, hence it is involved with Golfing, where it is recognised that golfers do not really receive much for the expensive involvement, as well as being involved in the Charities component.” She said.
Several other Robb Street Branch staff members and their families were on hand to witness the presentation ceremony.
Charitable organisations identified by Saturday’s winners were Bless The Children Home in Industry,chosen by Mangal; Joshua House,chosen by Tewari;and David Rose School,chosen by Persaud (Pandit Ravi).
The day’s event was further extended with the drawing of 2 raffles;one for the Media personnel present, in which each member of the Media received a gift; and another raffle for every member that participated in the tournament, so that each player received a second gift, as at the start of the day’s play each golfer was given a sleeve of balls, compliments of Scotiabank.
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