Six-time Guyana Open women’s champion Christine Sukhram felt that last weekend’s tour was her toughest to date locally but said she was up to the challenge in claiming another victory at Guyana’s premier golf tournament at Lusignan Golf Club.
Sukhram rallied from a first day deficit to beat Surinamese Nom Sook Choi in the women’s competition which attracted six players including four from the neighbouring republic.
Sukhram, who won the title for the first time in 2006 when she was 18-years-old, said no one has led her in the prestigious competition before.
She has won the tournament in 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and this year.
“It was real competition for me. When I saw the scoreboard and Ms. Choi was leading I was surprised but thought it was the kind of challenge I really needed,” said the diminutive golfer who hails from the village of Lusignan on the East Coast of Demerara.
Sukhram, the Brand Ambassador for Tropical Mist Water, emerged victorious with 160 gross after she shot 78 on the second day playing off an 11 handicap. She also had the best net of 138 with an aggressive 67 on day two.
Choi had a two-day gross of 176 and a 148 net to finish second in both divisions.
The other Guyanese player Joaan Deo failed to make it into the top three.
But while Sukhram reflects on her success, she has also expressed concern at the state of women’s participation in the sport locally. She said there is urgent need for more women to come forward and play the sport.
“When I attend tournaments overseas there are so many women players and I would like to see a similar situation in Guyana so that the Guyana Open can grow and there can be more women playing with each other,” she said.
Sukhram has her eyes fixed on the Carnation tournament in Trinidad and Tobago in January next year.
She has always excelled at tournaments in the twin island republic and will be looking to keep Guyana’s flag flying high against the best in the region.
Sukhram, who was featured on the front page of the recently published Guyana’s Golf magazine plans to play at least three more tournaments before the end of the local season.
