The Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), the Guyana Golf Association (GGA), and Nexgen Golf Academy will host the inaugural Guyana Long Drive Championship on September 23 to determine which athletes, golfers, or any other challengers can take the honours of the nation’s male and female Long Drive champions.
This is according to a release from the GGA, which was recently dispatched to the media.
According to the release, the championship, which will be staged at Nexgen Golf Academy, is part of the GTA’s push to supplement sports tourism by including other sporting activities during one of Guyana’s busiest tourism activities, the Cricket Carnival.
It will also create awareness of golf as a year-round tourist activity in light of the planned Silica City Golf Course and other golf courses under development. The tournament will become an annual event, just like the “Putt 4 Million” competition hosted in celebration of Tourism Month in November.
GTA’s Director, Kamrul Baksh, “An often overlooked fact is that for cricketers, golf has always been one of their preferred sports, and it is a trend that continues to this day. Some examples are the likes of Brian Lara, Sir Viv Richards, Courtney Walsh, Kapil Dev, Imran Khan, Shaun Pollock, and Jacques Kallis, who are known for looking for golf courses while touring the world. In fact, golf extends its reach to many other sports, such as football and basketball, with names such as Charles Barkley and Michael Jordan at the top of the list.”
The tournament is open to everyone regardless of experience, and Vice President of the GGA Dallas Thomas said, “It will be interesting to see how the athletes from other sport disciplines stand up against golfers, assuming they actually show up. This is all about skill over strength, so come prove otherwise if you can!”
Contestants will compete in male and female categories in the divisions of under 13, under 18, and open, with experienced golfers receiving a yardage deduction based on handicap index. All players will use similar equipment and balls to eliminate any unfair advantage.
The competition will be for the benefit of several charitable programs, including Breast Cancer Awareness and Beacon House.
To register or for more information, contact 645-0944, stop by Nexgen Golf Academy on Woolford Avenue, or visit them on Instagram or Facebook.
