By Avenash Ramzan
“I’m physically and mentally prepared to take back the title.”
Words of confidence and enthusiasm from two-time Guyana Open champion Joaan Deo as she prepares for two days of intense battle this weekend at the Lusignan Golf Course, East Coast Demerara.
Deo is one of over 100 golfers confirmed to tee off on Saturday (October 26) in the premier local golf tournament, sponsored for the third consecutive year by Ganesh Parts and General Store under the Bridgestone tyres brand
“I’ve been playing competitive golf throughout the year, competing with the guys almost every week due to the fact that we do not have as much female golfers. My game is most definitely on and I feel I’m physically and mentally prepared to take back the title,” Deo asserted.
The Dental Surgeon, who won her maiden Guyana Open title in 2014 and then repeated the feat two years later, said she has been putting in the work over the last few weeks, hitting the Course at 05:30h in the mornings to master those shots she’s “not comfortable with.”
From the Course, it’s off to her day job as a medical practitioner.
“Preparation is key when it comes to a tournament like the Guyana Open. I started practicing for the tournament a few weeks ago. We’ve had tournaments almost every week so I’ve been playing; probably for the year I’ve played half of the tournaments, but that in itself is practice,” Deo, a winner of multiple local tournaments, explained.
“With respect to the overseas players coming, it’s going to be tight competition.”
Deo highlighted that to do well in golf, not just at Lusignan, but in general, one needs to strong mentally and she’s in a good area in that regard.
“That being said, I also know the Lusignan Course very well, staying on the fairway, playing my shots in regulation to the green and having a good short game is key to succeed on our Course. I’m very much prepared for the challenge this weekend holds,” she stated.
Standing in Deo’s path to success are reigning Guyana Open champion Christine Sukhram and one-time winner Shenella London from the local end, while it is understood Barbados will be well represented by a strong female contingent.
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.
