Over 100 golfers from Guyana and beyond these shores will converge on the Lusignan Golf Course on October 26-27 for what is anticipated to be one of the biggest Guyana Open tournaments in recent times.
At the official launch on Wednesday morning at the Marriott Hotel, President of the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) Aleem Hussain announced that the marquee tournament will be held in partnership with title sponsor Ganesh Parts and General Store under the global tyre brand Bridgestone.
This is the third consecutive year Ganesh Parts and General Store has placed its name as the lead partner for the two-day tournament.
Present at the launch were nine-time and defending champion Avinash Persaud, former Guyana Open Women’s Champion Dr. Joaan Deo and LGC President Aleem Hussain, Treasurer Aasrodeen Shaw and PRO Bishop Guy Griffith, along with Sandra Bernal, the Director of Sales and Marketing at Marriott Guyana.
Acting Captain Dr. Deo explained that more than 50% of the field will come from international players and the competition is expected to be fierce “with players from Trinidad, Barbados, Suriname, Colombia, Venezuela, USA and Canada all expected to descend on the LGC in the next few days.”
Speaking confidently, the defending Men’s champion Persaud strongly stated that the title would stay in Guyana as he planned on continuing his quest to become the best Caribbean golfer by winning again to add to his Suriname Gross Title earlier this year.
“I intend to take the Trinidad and Barbados titles in the coming months to consolidate my claim to the best golfer in the region with my sights set on the PGA if possible,” Persaud said.
It was the most that the usually quiet spoken champion has said in the past nine years and there was a different determination in his eyes as he spoke.
The recent partnership agreements developed by the President were emphasised by Club Treasurer Shaw and he explained that the cost of operating the facility at the highest level was no easy task, but the leadership of the current executive with major partnerships allowed for the development of the facilities to accommodate the incoming surge of players, ex-pats and tourists.
Meanwhile, Marriott has hopped onboard with the Guyana Open for the first time and Bernal was enthusiastic about the move.
“In every country, Marriott is associated with sports and golf in particular and we wanted to ensure that Guyana was no different from the other markets we operate in around the world. We entered into this partnership based on the relationship we had developed with Aleem over the years and knew that our brand would receive the standards we expect. That is why we placed our name on the first golf carts at the LGC and will host our customer Appreciation Week golf tournament there on November 3, and we hope to make this an annual event,” Bernal told the gathering.
PRO Bishop Griffith was vocal in his description of the advances made by the Club under the leadership of President Hussain and confirmed that the LGC had exceeded its goal in terms of events in 2019.
“With the number of tournaments and activities such as the recent Soca and Wine Festival, the LGC has achieved a level of recognition previously not met,” said Griffith. “It’s the strength and vision of our President that has taken us to this level.”
Hussain added, “The Guyana Open is the most prestigious tournament in the region and we look forward to a fantastic week of activity as players are already starting to arrive in country to practice. The course is in magnificent condition and we will see top level competition this year.”
“I especially want to thank our sponsors both old and new, big and small who have joined together to make this a truly Guyanese Open and I want to say thank you to Roop and Keshan Persaud who took a chance with me three years ago and sponsored the first major tournament I ran at the LGC, for without their support, we could not be here today.”
Hussain further stated that Copa Airlines has also joined the LGC, not just for the upcoming Guyana Open, but a year-long venture to promote and popularise the game.
Registration for the Guyana Open closes next Wednesday (October 23) and the fee for members is just US$150 and non-members US$200, which includes attendance at the welcome cocktail, gift bag, practice round, tournament fees, meals and on-course beverages, along with the awards dinner.
“To sign up for the tournament, get free tickets to the event, or simply visit the course for free lessons and use the Macorp Sponsored lighted driving range, simply call 220-5660 for tee-time and directions,” the LGC said in a press release.
The Guyana Open 2019 is sponsored in part by: Macorp, Guyana Marriott, Toolsie Persaud, Copa Airlines, Panko Steel Fabrication, Bulkan Timbers, Oddessy Transport Services, Comfort Sleep, BM Soat, A. Ahmad Hydraulics, New India Insurance, Progressive Auto Rentals, IMON Wireless, Steve’s Jewellery, Trophy Stall, Ansa Mcal, Sissons Paint, Chetson’s, Oasis Café, ACH Inc., Banks DIH, CIDI (Blue Waters), Nayelli Salon, AR Printery, Giftland Mall, Guyana Beverages, New Trend Auto, West Indian Sports Complex, Pulse Entertainment, Southland, Massy Group of Companies, ModFin Spa, Gafoors, Ganesh Parts & General Store- Bridgestone, El Dorado (DDL) and NexGen Global Marketing Services.
