GOLFERS from across the country and the wider Caribbean will descend on the Lusignan Golf Course , on the East Coast of Demerara , come September 16th for the inaugural ‘President’s Cup’ Golf Tournament. This amateur event, which promises to attract renewed attention to the sport of golf, was launched on Tuesday August 14, by the Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Irfaan Ali,  in the boardroom of the Tourism Ministry on South Road.
According to Minister Ali, this ‘pilot project’ forms part of the Ministry’s plan to promote Sport Tourism in Guyana.
“We are working from different angles in terms of developing and expanding our tourism product. Golf has a special appeal to an upper class and middle class market in the Caribbean; it has a targeted market.
We want to use this opportunity to work with the local golf association in creating a space for Guyana within the golf market, that will not only promote the sport here but will also advance our tourism product,” he said.
He noted too that such initiatives can be used as a platform to market the country as a golfing destination, on par with other Caribbean destinations like Barbados.
Ali explained, “Instead of giving lee way to Barbados to host a regional tournament we are trying to start a programme where we can be the host of a major gold tournament. That is why we are attaching the President’s name to this tournament and we are seeking to bring in as much regional participants as possible.”
Advertisements for the upcoming game will be broadcasted across the Caribbean in an effort to attract a wide cross section of participants, it will also be a perfect opportunity to develop packages to offer participants and link it with various tourism facilities, airlines, and hotels, the minister added
In addition, he informed that the President’s Cup Tournament will be added to the Tourism Ministry’s calendar of events, which will be further developed and enhanced along the way.
As to the role that Golfing will play in attracting visitors, the Tourism Minister revealed that already, several private investors are interested in constructing golf courses in Guyana, which will act as centre pieces for attracting even more tourists.
“This will form part of our re-Discover Home campaign, and we are working closely with the Ministry of Culture , Youth and Sport to also  bring International 20/20 cricket in Guyana. Sports tourism is something we are working on aggressively, we have the land space, environment, improved air transportation,” Minister Ali stated.
In closing, he pledged that all efforts will be made to promote events for the development of the Tourism Sector.
The Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Indranauth Haralsingh also pledged that the Authority will work closely with stakeholders, and the Culture ,Youth and Sport Ministry  for the development and promotion of sports tourism in Guyana, including cycling, volleyball and cricket.
He explained too that persons interested in participating in the Golf tournament can register via the GTA website at www.guyana-tourism.com  or call 219-0094-6 for more information.
Advising on the technical components of the game, the President of the Lusignan Gold Club, Mr. Jerome Khan explained that the Golf Course is a nine (9) whole, par 70 course, but the game will be 18 holes Stroke-play, with the tee off occurring at 9:30 hrs; this will be done by the Head of State, President Donald Ramotar , and will signal the official opening of the activity.
Khan extended the invitation to all interested golfers to contact the golf club on 220-5660 to register for the event; registration fee will be $4000.
He assured that the inaugural event will be fun and exciting, and is already attracting participants from Suriname and French Guiana, bringing new dimension to the sport.
All members of the Diplomatic Corps, Business Community, Golf Clubs, the Guyana Police Force and the Army, among others are invited to register for this inaugural tournament.