… Professional course to be constructed at resort

ASHMIN’S Fun Park & Resort and the Guyana Golf Association (GGA)/Nexgen Academy created a bit of history recently by inking a major deal which will see a new 18-hole course being constructed at the resort.

The championship-style golf course is being built on the sprawling resort property, just minutes from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).

This is in response to the demand that has been generated by the many expats and re-migrants to Guyana and especially with golf gaining prominence as their preferred sport because it is fully COVID-19 compliant.

The developers are confident that this will add to the country’s desired sports tourism agenda. They indicated that they have been in discussion with a number of top golf course designers, investment groups and hotel partners and intend to finalise an agreement for construction to begin shortly.

Earlier this year, the World Amateur Golf Championship (WAGC) engaged with Nexgen Golf to host the world’s largest amateur golf championship in Guyana as early as 2023, wherein teams of players from over 40 countries would compete, but a requirement was a minimum of three 18-hole golf courses and sufficient hotel rooms for the several thousand players and spectators.

Popularly known as Splashmin’s Resort, the brainchild of successful entrepreneur and businessman Lennox John, the development is capitalising on its prime location to realise its potential as a major investment opportunity in the country, since it is ideally located close to the main airport in the area that Guyana’s President Dr Irfaan Ali has been promoting as a new capital to be known as ‘Silica City’, with major roads to the existing city and neighbouring Brazil in the process of being built.

Regarding the venture into sports, Mr John pointed out, “It has been a life-long dream to complete this project in a manner that sets a standard in the country, something that will make us the most desired place to live. The development of a world-class golf course enhances the other amenities such as hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, schools, medical facilities etc. that will be built in the community.”

Spanning almost 800 acres, the project is set to be home to many luxurious homes, villas and condos that will sit elevated above the golf course, lakes and natural reserves to ensure that each has a magnificent unimpeded view of nature’s beauty.

John explained that Madewini Villas, the first phase in development had been completed and demand for the new areas were at an all-time high but that everything would be built to the same exacting standards set forth over the past 10 years.

Meanwhile GGA president Aleem Hussain said he was honoured and excited by the opportunity to have such a wonderful location to develop an incredibly unique and picturesque course, with pure white sands and lots of lakes, trees and varying elevation.

“Most people are amazed when they visit this area, thinking that Guyana is mostly flatlands, cane and rice fields. This topography will change their perspective and make them never want to leave.”

Speaking on the swift progress the GGA has made this year and its upcoming goals, Hussain added that he was happy to see the sport gaining massive popularity, especially with school students across Guyana.

” It’s been satisfying to see the response to golf throughout the country thanks to the efforts of the MoE Allied Arts Unit and the GGA and, with more than 10 000 new players by the end of 2021, this is a positive step that will allow more persons access to the sport.”

The planned course will be a full 7 300-yard 18-hole with a grand clubhouse to accommodate the members and residents’ activities that will include tennis, swimming, horse-riding and nature trails. Use of the natural landscape, massive lakes and waterfalls will enhance the beauty of the course.

This is the second major Golf course being developed in the country (Nexgen Golf has a series of modified small footprint courses underway) and with the tremendous growth plans around the country, Hussain said he expects that more developers will follow in the footsteps of Ashmin’s Resort and include golf courses in their planning. (Clifton Ross)