… $325 000 donated to orphanages
JORGE Medina took the first prize in Saturday’s Scotiabank golf tournament which saw the bank donate $325 000 to orphanages of the winners’ choice. Medina who does not play too often due to a busy schedule, shot a gross 94, and with his 28 handicap, a net 66. He said he overcame the embarrassment of the first few holes which showed how rusty his swing was and quietly set about putting together a decent score eliminating any blow-ps and chalking up several single bogies and some pars.
It was enough to pip two other players including the ever-improving Rawle Moore who shot an awesome 82  (16) also for a net 66. Moore in turn edged out Mohan Dinanauth who actually parred the course (70) also for a net 66. When there are ties like these, the last nine holes are counted to decide the winner.
Fourth place went to D. Harry with a gross 85 (17) net 68. Best gross naturally went to Mohan Dinanauth, while his brother D. Dinanauth took Nearest to the Pin with a shot that landed a mere 7 inches from the hole.
With good conditions and greens even faster than last week, it was a perfect day for gol and some 40 players participated. The range of winners from high handicapper through middle and lowest handicapper showed the effectiveness of a system that allows anyone to win on any given Saturday if they play at or above their current ability.
In her comments at the prize-giving ceremony Country Manager Amanda St Aubyn, said the bank has had long ties to the club through several of its managers being keen golfers, including Esau Shamshudin and Club President Brian Hackett.
She fully expected the club’s ties to continue.  Hackett speaking on behalf of the club said the decision to donate funds to the orphanages was a good initiative and he foresaw other sponsors would consider similar donations.
The three orphanages chosen by the winners are: Medina: Cheshire Home $150 000, Rawle Moore Joshua House $100 000 and Mohan Dinanauth, St Anne’s Orphanage $75 000.
In addition, the bank held a raffle for all the players with various gifts such as umbrellas, balls and other items being handed out.
On Sunday it also organised a dominoes competition between its team, the golf club and an invited team Quick Six, who prevailed after a thrilling tussle with the bank that went down to the last round.
This Saturday’s tournament will be a farewell event for retiring Scotiabank manager Esau Shamshudin who has been a longtime supporter of the club, holding various executive positions and contributing his time and effort to improving the facilities at the course.