A record number of golfers including 26 overseas players will compete in the 2009 Power Stout Guyana Open golf tournament billed for Saturday and Sunday at the Lusignan Golf Course.
Officials of the Lusignan Golf Club made the disclosure at the launch of the tournament yesterday at Banks DIH Conference Room at Thirst Park.
Banks DIH Communications Manager, Troy Peters, who also serves as Public Relations Officer of the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) told reporters that 75 players have registered including 26 overseas contestants.
A 12-member team is due from neighbouring Suriname today while nine players from the United States and five from Canada are already in Guyana for this weekend’s action.
Additionally, several members of the diplomatic corp. including the Canadian High Commissioner Francois Montour and European Ambassador Geerts Heikens are lined up to compete, Peters disclosed.
The Canadians will include David Persaud, Roger Rajkumar, Jaipaul Andrew Claxton, while the US team will feature Salim Rashid, Edward Adjodha, Anwar Saffie, and J. P Lall.
Defending men’s champion Imran Khan and reigning female champion Christine Sukhram will therefore face stiff opposition in an attempt to defend their titles.
Banks DIH Sales and Marketing Executive, Carlton Joao, said that his company was once again sponsor the marquee tournament and expressed Banks DIH continued commitment to the sport in Guyana.
“The event is over two days and Banks DIH Ltd. is committed to ensuring that the golfers are comfortable as they are competitive at Lusignan Course,” Joao added.
He encouraged families to come out and support the tournament pointing out that there will be a kiddie’s park set up especially for children attending.
He said the beverage giants will be pumping in excess of $1 million into the tournament.
“We would like to congratulate the Lusignan Golf Club for its excellent planning and for being great partners in the promotion of the game of golf in Guyana,” Joao concluded. The tournament will be divided into five flights – four for men and one for the female players.
The championship flight for players’ handicapped 0-9 will feature defending champion Khan, and several former champions including Canadian Jaipaul, teenage sensation Avinash Persaud, Patrick Prashad, Alfred Mentore as well as Vijay Deo, Monaff Arjune, Colin Ming, Dinanauth Mohanlall, and Mike Mangal.
The other men’s flights are 10-17, 18-23 and 24-28.
The ladies division will be for players with handicaps 0-36.
Mel Sankies, President of LGC thanked Banks DIH for its continued commitment to sponsoring the Club’s premier event.
He disclosed that there has been an increased interest in the sport locally and he encouraged members of the media to become more involved in the sport.
Peters disclosed that Banks DIH will also be fielding a strong team led by its Chairman Clifford Reis and will include Mark Lashley, Gavin Todd and Alfred Semple.
Banks DIH Power Stout Brand Consultant Michael Fung will tee off the tournament tomorrow morning at 09:00 hours.
The players will attend a reception this evening at the Lusignan Club from 6pm while the presentation of prizes will take place immediately after the competition ends on Sunday evening.