`Just for Beginners’ golf tournament set for next month
Assuria General Insurance will partner with NexGen Golf Academy to host the ‘Just for Beginners Golf Championships’ from March 10 at the Scouts Association of Guyana ground on Woolford Avenue.
This and other details were disclosed to the media via a release yesterday.
According to the release, the tournament will usher in the return of golf to the city.
Many years ago, golf was played in Thomas Lands and the National Park but its recent resurgence in popularity will see it being played in the heart of the city once again, stated the release.
The unique three-hole Par 3 event will cater for players of every category and will be played in the cool of the night and under floodlights.
Due to COVID-19 guidelines, the ‘Just for Beginners’ competition will run from March 10-13 from 16:00hrs to 20:00hrs.
The tournament will consist of three holes that are 145, 100 and 80 yards and players will have to complete the hole by putting. All equipment and balls will be provided at no cost and at Assuria General’s request; there will be no tournament fee.
Prizes will be presented to the best scores for Juniors Under 12, Under 21, women and men’s categories.
The tournament is for beginners and players who have recently started who do not have a handicap rating.
General Manager of Assuria General Insurance, Yogindra Arjune, spoke of the impact the game has had on him personally and the effects he was seeing nationally.
“I was introduced to the sport by Aleem two years ago and have been hooked on it ever since. It’s a game that makes you strive for betterment at every opportunity, similarly with our business and we will continue to support the development, especially in the schools and new players.”
Arjune said that he welcomed the return of competitive golf to the centre of Georgetown adding that change was necessary for the sport.
“For far too long we have accepted that golf should only be played a certain way and by a select group of persons. That is about to change in a dramatic way with the plans by The Guyana Golf Association, NexGen Global and support from hundreds of new players and sponsors.”
The Three Hole Championships will continue to be a part of golf development around the country, said President of the GGA Aleem Hussain.
“As we expand our facilities to Berbice, Essequibo, West Coast and Linden, our plan is to create leagues, inter-region, inter-company and parent-child activities that will see everyone involved in the only fully COVID-19 compliant sporting activity.”
The tournament, the release stated, will be the first of many events aimed at allowing as many Guyanese as possible to experience the game at virtually no cost with the ultimate goal of building a national team that will represent the country.
Said Hussain:”The majority of our best athletes come from the persons who have the least opportunities and this is why the extraordinary efforts are being made to allow everyone a chance to see if they have the potential.”
The aim of the event is to get everyone to participate in physical activity and try something different that all ages can enjoy together. Players will also have three chances to win the Copa
Airlines roundtrip ticket during the competition.
Participants asked to register in advance by calling 645-0944
or visiting the Academy no later than March 9, so that proper arrangements and groupings are made.
All systems are in place for round one of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) Drag Race this weekend.
This is according to GMR&SC Executive Committee member, Motilall Deodass, in an interview ahead of the South Dakota Circuit-scheduled event.
Deodass explained, “Things are actually ahead of where we want to be right now.”
He added: “We have secured permission from the relevant persons; that is the COVID-19 Task Force, as well as the Police, for the venue. That was done a while ago.
“We were also able to confirm marshals as well as the emergency medical teams long before our prescribed dates and as such, I’d have to say that we are ahead of schedule when it comes to that.”
Deodass said he wanted to urge the racers to register early.
“We’ve been granted a limited number so we are urging people to get registered early. It will be on a first-come, firstserved basis until we get to our quota.”
So far, 62 competitors have already confirmed their participation with five bikers among the lot.
Deodass reiterated the adherence to COVID-19 protocols.
“There will be mandatory wearing of masks for all competitors, mechanics and support staff as well as officials and the limited number of spectators.”
For the thousands of fans who will be unable to be present at the venue over the two days, preparation has already started to have the event live streamed via E-networks who, over the past weekend, has begun setting out spots for the cameras.
“There will be strict penalties for those persons found in the venue not wearing masks or adhering to the COVID guidelines. Those could result in people being ejected from the venue and for future events. It’s not something we want to do, but if you put us in the position, we will
have no choice,” he declared.
Meanwhile, L. Mahabeer and Sons Cambio are the latest sponsors to come on board, joining a prestigious list of companies.
These include, Cyril’s Transportation Services, E-Networks, First Class Auto Sales, Guyoil (Castrol), Homeline Furnishing, Imran Auto Works, KFC, KGM Security, Land Star Drilling Company, MMD Hollow Blocks and Pavers, Mohamed’s Enterprise, Motor Trend Service Center, Modern Building
Solutions, NALICO/NAFICO, Panko Steel Fabrication, Power Tech Sound Company, Prem’s Electrical, Ready Mix Concrete, Rush Energy Drink, Samaroo Investments Inc., Secure Innovations & Concepts Inc., STAG Beer, Trans Pacific Motor Spares & Auto Sales, Truck Master, UNICOM - United Commodities, West Coast Customs Washbay and Windjammer.
Tickets for the event go on sale from today at the club’s Alberttown office and no tickets will be sold at the venue.