Mahendra Bhagwandin with a 24 handicap and a net 65 topped a field of 51 golfers at the Lusignan Golf Course (LGC) Sunday in the 18th edition of the annual Scotiabank tournament.
Shanella Webster with a 22 handicap and net 67 finished second while Dr. Philbert London, with a 27 handicap and a net 67, placed third.
Patrick Prashad – 80/9 had the best gross score for the day while the most honest golfer went to Robert Hanoman 81/26 and the Nearest to the Pin Ian Gouveia.
Four other competitors Carlos Adams 70/26, Maurice Solomon 70/23, Joaan Deo 70/20 and Ian Gouveia 70/15 were in contention for the fourth best net prize.
For the past four years of the event the top three finishers got the opportunity to give to a charity of their choice a sum of money. Bhagwandin’s, $150,000.00, Webster’s $100,000.00 and Dr. London’s $75,000.00, will be distributed to the selected charities.
A delighted Bhagwandin said: “It was a good all-round game for me. With significantly improved driver skill, I played one hole at a time and thanks to my experienced caddy, Harrichand ‘Babyboy’ Dhanai, I was able to stay calm and focused after any bad play. Also, the clubs he selected were just right for the job! This is the second tournament I have won, and both times he was my caddy.” On hand to make the presentations for Scotiabank were Country Manager, Raymond Smith, Marketing Manager, Jennifer Cipriani and Manager of Treasury, Parmeshwar Budhu.
“He’s very pleased to be at this 18th year of Scotiabank’s association with golf in Guyana. A very central part of Scotiabank’s current sponsorship is the $325,000.00 that is given back to the community, to children charities of the top three winner’s choice,” remarked Smith. Under its Global Bright Future philanthropic programme, Scotiabank channels funds and employee volunteer hours towards initiatives that benefit children in the areas of education, health, social well-being (arts and culture) and sports. Scotiabank has contributed on average some $50 million annually to community causes around the world over the last five years. Smith also congratulated the winners and the golfers for supporting the tournament. Scotiabank’s Robb Street Branch Manager and veteran golfer, Brian Hackett, was also on hand to assist with the distribution of prizes and the raffle which enabled almost all the players present at the closing ceremony to leave with gifts.
