AFTER a decade of a wonderful relationship, beverage giant Banks DIH Limited yesterday maintained its ties with the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC), when the entity offered sponsorship in excess of $1.5M for the upcoming Guyana Open Golf tournament which will be contested at the Lusignan Golf Course over the next three days. According to Sales and Marketing Executive of Banks DIH, Carlton Joao, his company had no hesitation in coming on board with Guyana’s lone golf club for this year’s tournament which gets under way this morning, since the last 10 years of sponsorship grew from strength to strength between the two sides.
“For the past 10 years, we have sponsored this tournament using a variety of products and we have seen the success behind same, as it has grown from strength to strength, with the tournament being the largest and prestigious golf event in Guyana.
“This year, we are sponsoring the Guyana Open, using the R1 Vodka which was recently introduced to the market and we decided to tag it to the tournament which to our mind will be sponsored on a twofold basis,” stated Joao.
He added; “With the first stage, Banks DIH will be aligning resources to ensure the tournament is a success story when it comes to comfort at a great level. We will be providing meals, beverages throughout the course, with players having at their disposal Powerade and LLB beverages at their disposal, while our catering services will take care of the meals.
Added to that, we will be making a donation towards the sustainability concept to the sport, wherein Banks DIH will be making contributions towards a coaching course for those who are desirous of playing golf. Treats will be in place for kids while the older folks enjoy the tournament and I wish to urge all and sundry to come out and support this venture.”
LGC’s club captain Patrick Prashad thanked the sponsors for their generosity over the years, while taking the time to outline the stages of this year’s tournament which will be played on a level playing field, commencing from 06:00 h tomorrow.
“Tomorrow morning (today), there will be a practice round among the 74 participants while the actual tournament tees off at 06:30 h on Saturday (tomorrow) with the Ladies competing in one flight (0-36) and the Men three flights (0-9, 10-18 and 19-28 respectively).”
According to Prashad, the local players among whom will be Banks DIH’s chairman Clifford Reis, Alfred Mentore, Gavin Todd, Avenash Sookdeo and Mark Lashleym just to name a few, had the distinct opportunity to prepare for the tournament when they competed in the European Union (EU)-sponsored one-day tournament on Wednesday, along with a two-day tournament two weeks ago.
He further stated that the locals who will be competing against golfers from Suriname, Canada and the United States of America, are keen to get onto the green and strut their stuff as they aim to ensure the foreign golfers don’t take away the trophies.
The team from Suriname consists of 10 golfers, including two female players, while eight players will be competing out of Canada and a further seven out of the USA, which, according to Prashad, meant the overseas players, will be providing a serious challenge to their Guyanese counterparts for supremacy.
If the LGC has intentions of accommodating over 100 participants in the tournament, they would have to increase the present number of holes on the course from nine to 18, hence Prashad is hoping he can influence some members of the Government to have an area set aside wherein they can build an 18-hole course.
Should the present inclement weather place a dampened spirit on things, the LGC will be hoping for at least one day of action, from which the winner can be selected, following which prizes will be issued to the best male and female players according to their combined gross scores over the two days, along with a special prize for net scores.
Five female golfers, including national champion Christine Sukhram, will be battling for supremacy amongst the 74 competitors.