It was the perfect pinnacle officials of the Lusignan Golf Club were looking forward to following a very busy and exciting year of golf, and the Power Stout Guyana Open two-day tournament provided that peak to the local season
Youth prevailed over age and experience as two phenomenal Guyanese youths, Avinash Persaud and Christine Sukhram secured the Open men’s and women’s titles respectively against tough competition from the United States, Canada, Suriname and The Nether-lands.
For Persaud it was his second Guyana Open title in three years having won his first major in 2006 at the tender age of 16 years.
Sukhram remains the leading female players in the Guianas after claiming her fourth successive Guyana Open crown.
They were outstanding on both days and proved unstoppable from the first tee off.
Playing with a handicap of one, Persaud recorded the best overall gross of 145 in the championship flight 0-9 on his way to winning the title stopping in his wake four former champions including 2008 winner Imran Khan.
Persaud, who had been campaigning in Trinidad and Tobago over the past two years, took day one honours with a gross score on 74, three strokes better than his closest opponent Khan and returned Sunday to record a Gross 73, a four-stroke advantage.
He also had the best net score on day two and the best overall net in the men’s flight 0-23.
Second position in the men’s Gross Overall Flight 0-23 was Jai Paul of Canada with 158 who won on a count back from Khan who took third place.
Mohanlall Dinanauth, another former Guyana Open champ who also recorded 158 was fourth and Vijay Deo fifth with 161.
Sukhram won the Ladies’ best overall Gross of 172 and was also the Nearest to the Pin winner on the second day.
Another Guyanese Joaan Deo had the best overall net of 141 with Surinamese H. Wolterstorff and J. Mortinor finished second and third respectively.
Canadian High Commissioner Francois Montour emerged winner of the men’s 10-17 Flight of 145 followed by Jeetindra Dhanpat with 146 and Avinda Kishore with 148.
Ayube Subhan was the winner of the men’s 18-23 Flight with an overall net score of 145 edging out Gavin Todd who also finished on 145 while Maurice Solomon placed third with 151.
Jorge Medina captured the men’s 23-28 Flight played under the Stableford system with 61 points edging out Mark Lashley for second position.
The men’s longest drive on Day Two went to Dinanauth while M.F. Shafi was the Nearest to the Pin winner.
The tournament was sponsored by Banks DIH Ltd. under the Power Stout brand.
Banks DIH Sales and Marketing Executive Carlton Joao said that his company was extremely pleased with the hard work of the organising committee.
He noted that Banks DIH has been the main sponsor for the Guyana Open for many years and said the trend will continue because of the support given by players, officials and spectators alike.
He highlighted the performances of Persaud and Sukhram noting that there is a great future ahead for the sport locally.
Banks DIH Marketing Director George McDonald assisted in the presentation of prizes.
Both President of the Lusignan Golf Club Mel Sankies and Secretary Jerome Khan expresse
d gratitude to Banks DIH for sponsoring the tournament.