Banks DIH and Citizens Bank Chairman Clifford Reis is among a number of high-profile golfers, set to participate in today’s Banks DIH Limited/Citizens Bank Inc., Stableford Golf tournament at the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC), East Coast Demerara.
Also down to take part is United States of America-based Mo Shafi who arrived in Guyana earlier in the week while, according to reports, a few other overseas-based players were expected in the country last night and will be in action.
Close to 60 golfers, including the overseas-based representatives have registered to compete in this the third tournament jointly sponsored by the two companies and which serves as a warm-up for the annual Guyana Open.
The defending Guyana Open men’s champion is Avinash Persaud and he is expected to face stiff competition from his brother Avinda Kishore, Mark Lashley, Gavin Todd, New Building Society’s Brian Hackett, President of the LGC Hilbert Shields, Oasis Café’s William Walker, Ansa Mc Al’s Troy Cadogan, Richard Haniff, Mike Mangal, Lloyd Fung-a-Fat, Maurice Solomon, Robert Hanoman and Munaf Arjune.
The defending ladies champion is Joaan Deo and her main competitor will be Christine Sukhram.
Tee of is at 12:30 hours.
Representatives of both companies will be on hand to witness the tee off and assist in the presentation of prizes at the conclusion.
Prizes will be awarded to the top three players with the Best Gross scores as well as Nearest to the Pin.
Earlier this week at a press briefing held at the Banks DIH Limited Sports Club, Thirst Park, Citizens Bank Neville Skeete and Shusila Persaud handed over the sponsorship to vice president of the LGC, Hackett who said: “This tournament is expected to kick start the rest of the golf season, but in terms of awareness we are going through schools with a putting tournament to spike interest and we are expected to have a few more tournaments but hopefully this tournament could reach persons that might be interested in golf.”
The Banks DIH/Citizens Bank tournament is a major advertising opportunity for the drinks company as its display and purchasing of products is a major selling point for both participants and supporters.
Troy Peters, Banks DIH Ltd, Communications Manager declared: “We know this is a very important and it will set the tone for the Guyana Open, we expect a lot of competitors and participants from overseas, we hope that persons come out and that we can have good golf over the weekend.”
Special mention was given to individuals who assisted in ensuring that the course is ready for today’s tournament.
“I want to thanks Banks and First Citizens Bank for coming out to help with the tournament and those who came out. We could not have been able to do it without those who helped with the preparations. Those who came out to work so that the ground is proper for us to have a fantastic tournament,” Hackett said.
Both Banks DIH and First Citizens Bank expressed their willingness to continue working together with the golf board in future.
