Defending men’s champion Guyanese Avinash Persaud was in a devastating mood in retaining his title while Christine Sukhram secured the lion share of prizes in the ladies category at the rain-affected two-day R1 Vodka sponsored Guyana Open Golf championships played at Lusignan golf Course over the week-end.
Persaud shot a gross 151 over the two days beating his closest rival by four strokes despite the inclement weather and a large field that comprised golfers from the United States of America, Canada and Suriname.
Playing off a handicap 2, the youthful Persaud, who first won the title in 2006 when he was only 16 years old, shot a gross 78 on the second day following his 73 on day one. Two-time champion Mohanlall “Santo” Dinnanauth (handicap 5) placed second with a gross 154 from scores of 78 and 76 over the two days while third place was taken by another former champion Alfred Mentore with 156 with two scores of 78.
Earlier contenders for the title had included Persaud’s younger sibling Avinda Kishore, Imran Khan, Jaipaul Suknanan, Vijay Deo and Mike Mangal but the champion cruised past them.
In the ladies category, Sukhram (handicap 10) took home five of the six prizes that were up for grabs including best overall gross(173), best gross on day one and day two (88 and 85), best overall net (153) and best net on day two (75).
She edged out Joaan Deo on a countback for the best net prize after the two golfers finished on 153 each. However, Deo won the first day’s net prize with 75.
Persaud and Sukhram were presented with the championship jackets during the prersentation ceremony by Banks DIH Sales and Marketing Executive Carlton Joao. Chatterpaul Deo carted off the overall men’s net with 133 as well as the best net on day two in the 0-28 flight.
In the men’s 10-18 handicap flight Colin Ming emerged winner with an overall net of 142 (68 and 74).
Seepaul Suknanan of Canada had the best gross in the 0-28 flight and also the best net.
Mohamed Shafi of the United States recorded the best net in the 19-28 flight on day two while Surinamese George Brahim won the prize for the best net in the 19-28 flight on day one.
Joao thanked the overseas players for taking part in the tournament.
He said his company was extremely pleased to sponsor the tournament for another year and indicated that the sponsorship will continue in the future. William Walker, Lusignan Golf Club Secretary said that is was a miracle that two days of the tournament was completed after a thunder storm threatened to disrupt play on the opening day.
He thanked Banks DIH for their commitment in sponsoring the prestigious tournament. Banks DIH Assistant Managing Director George McDonald attended play on the opening day while several executives of the company presented prizes at the presentation ceremony.
