… As bigger, better Guyana Open tournament launched

THE Lusignan Golf Course is likely to be upgraded from its nine-hole golf course to 18, it’s a sound many who play golf locally want to hear.

This announcement was made yesterday by Sports Minister Dr George Norton during the launching ceremony of Guyana’s prestigious Guyana Open golf tournament, which is billed for November 3-4.

The initiative is likely to become a reality sometime next year, through legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus, who is unquestionably the greatest golfer of his time.

Nicklaus, nicknamed The Golden Bear, is an American retired professional golfer. Many observers regard him as the greatest golfer of all-time. During a span of more than 25 years, he won a record 18 major championships while producing 19 second-place and nine third-place finishes.

“Nicklaus has promised to expend the Lusignan Golf Course to an 18-hole golf course here in Guyana, and this can happen by next year,” Dr Norton said.

Meanwhile, in an announcement during yesterday’s launching at the Guyana Marriott Hotel in Georgetown, it is expected that a full field of 100 players from twelve different countries will compete for top honours at the two-day event

The Medal Play tournament will be played over 36 holes with action in three flights – the A flight (0-9 handicap), B flight (10-18 handicap) and C flight (19-28 handicap).

The minister during his remarks expressed satisfaction with the works of the Club. “I would like to commend the Lusignan Golf Club for sustaining this tournament for so many years which certainly could have been done only with hard work and determination and now with so many countries gracing our shores for this tournament, this is another great opportunity to capitalise on sports tourism,” stated Norton.

President of the LGC, Aleem Hussain, stated that golf has risen to a new level in Guyana, and based on that November’s tournament will be a competitive one, taking into consideration the number of top golfers who have indicated an interest.

The Course vice-president Paton George told the gathering that registration will be a first come, first served basis.

The first 100 players will be accepted, with entrance fee pitted at $25 000 for local members, $30 000 for foreign members and $40 000 for non-members.

Also making brief remarks was Marketing Representative of the tournament’s main sponsor, Correia Group/Trans Guyana Airways Company, Jason Harper, who expressed the company’s delight to be a part of the two-day tournament.

Meanwhile, eight-time champion Avinash Persaud voiced his confidence of defending his title, despite the numerous challenges, while two-time female champion (2014, 2016), Joann Deo, anticipates a large field of female golfers. She indicated that preparation leading up to the tournament is of utmost importance. Christine Sukhram added the Female title to her collection in 2017.