AVINASH Persaud and Christine Sukhram retained the men’s and ladies’ crowns at the  R1 Vodka-sponsored two-day Guyana Open Golf championships played at Lusignan Golf Club.
Persaud playing off a 2 handicap recorded an overall gross 151 after shooting 73 on the first day and 78 on the day two.
Mohanlall ‘Santo’ Dinanauth) placed second with a gross 154 (78 and 76) over the two days while third went to Alfred Mentore with 156 (78 and 78).
In the ladies’ category, Sukhram (handicap 10) won the best overall gross (173), best gross on day one and day two (88 and 85), best overall net (153) and best net on day two (75).
She squeezed past Joaan Deo on a countback for the best net prize after they tied on 153 each. Deo won the first day’s net prize with 75.
Persaud and Sukhram were presented with the championship jackets during the prersentation ceremony by Banks DIH Sales and Marketing Executive Carlton Joao.
Chatterpaul Deo carted off the overall men’s net with 133 as well as the best net on day two in the 0-28 flight.
In the men’s 10-18 handicap flight Colin Ming won  with 142 (68 and 74).
Seepaul  Suknanan of Canada had the best gross in the 0-28 flight and also the best net.
Mohamed Shafi of the United States recorded the best net in the 19-28 flight on day two while Surinamese George Brahim won the prize for the best net in the 19-28 flight on day one.
Joao thanked the overseas players for taking part in the tournament.
He said his company was extremely pleased to sponsor the tournament for another year and indicated that the sponsorship will continue in the future.
William Walker, Lusignan Golf Club Secretary said that is was a miracle that two days of the tournament was completed after a thunderstorm threatened to disrupt play on the opening day.
He thanked Banks DIH for their commitment in sponsoring the prestigious tournament.
Banks DIH Assistant Managing Director, George McDonald, attended play on the opening day while several executives of the company presented prizes at the presentation ceremony.