Mangal, Codrington top Hit and Win golf tournament

Former Guyana Open champion Mike Mangal and newcomer Michelle Codrington demonstrated their golfing skills and took home the top positions from a field of 55 players who vied for honours in the inaugural Hit and Win Golf tournament, hosted by NexGen Golf Academy and Driving Range in collaboration with Survival Shopping Complex on Sheriff Street.

The format, designed with the help of Per Persaud of Crown Mining, to allow for players to engage in the competition and follow social distancing guidelines, was a tremendous success even though it was organised on short notice.

Survival Shopping Complex is conveniently located on Sheriff Street, in the heart of Georgetown and offers a wide variety of the finest grocery and household products, fresh vegetables and bill payment services, along with a massive beverage depot.

Parshuram Arjune, Director of the company, was on hand to hand over some of the prizes.

“This was my first time playing the game with my sons and it was an absolute joy to share this experience with them, especially since my work schedule is so hectic, but with the lighted facility, we were able to enjoy it late into the evening.”

He added that this would be an on-going activity, and relationship with the Academy has great potential.

The event had prizes for first time players in Women, Children, Beginner Men and experienced Men categories, with points awarded for the targets hit and winners walking away with hampers, prizes and trophies.

The results were as follows:

Children’s category:

First place: Navishram Arjune

Second place: Shriram Arjune

Third place: Arasely Bobb-Semple

Women’s category:

First place: Michelle Codrington

Second place tied: Ashley Chu and Kavita Albert

Third place three-way tie: Abigail Joseph; Ms. Gowrie Albert and Ms. Bibi Zarina Bissessar

Men’s Category:

First place: Mike Mangal

Second place: Deno Bissessar

Third place: Adrian Barrow

Fourth place: Leaknaraine Shivraj

Nexgen Golf Academy and Driving Range is conveniently located on Woolford Avenue between Camp and Albert Streets on the Guyana Teachers Union and Scouts Association of Guyana grounds.

Meanwhile, on August 10-11 at 16:30h, the Academy will be hosting children’s evaluations camp for ages 3-14 with professional coach Colin Ming assessing the students before arranging for lessons.

Rudy Ramalingum, Director of the Academy, said, “It is our goal to provide as many children as possible the opportunity to learn the sport, without the cost normally associated with the game.”

President of the Guyana Golf Association Aleem Hussain said, “I am elated with the results and the mix of players we have seen in the past month with more women and children, families and couples taking advantage of the location to learn the game and experience something only seen on television.

“With Coach Colin Ming and several other now available to help, it is expected that the level of play will increase dramatically and golf will become a household name in Guyana.”

For more information about the NexGen Golf Academy and Driving Range, please check Facebook or Instagram, call 645-0944 or visit the facility on Woolford Avenue.