The Guyana Golf Association held its first ‘Shoot for Cash’ event in support of Cancer Awareness Month and proved that successful events can be held while adhering to the strict COVID-19 guidelines.
The event was coordinated by Al Junior Wilson, Sean Barrington, Lynette and Michelle Codrington and Philip Haynes who worked in unison to ensure that the photography and activities went off smoothly.
Players had the opportunity to win cash or GTT credit along with trophies and prizes and the turnout was controlled by limiting the number of participants daily with the grand finale held on Sunday, which saw the qualifiers from the preceding weekdays coming back to fight off their challengers.
On Sunday, the excitement was visible and tension thick as player after player focused on the challenge at hand, hit 10 balls into a bullseye just 100 yards away with a chance to win G$50,000 in cash.
But, despite the handicap of having to hit from a longer distance than the women and beginners, it was the veteran, former Guyana Open Champion Mike Mangal, who carted off the grand prize.
In the Men’s Professional division, Mangal fought off the tough challenge from his son Rohan Albert, who came out on his birthday to support the event, and narrowly bested top position finisher Satrohan Robin Tiwari and past LGC president Aasroodeen Shaw, who came in second.
Samuel Carter, recently back from the UK, travelled twice all the way from Land of Canaan to qualify and compete in the Men’s Amateur division, his effort being rewarded as he took first place honours away from newcomer to the sport Ryan Gonsalves.
But the Women’s Division, with more than 15 competitors, saw the biggest upsets with two newcomers to the sport, Leota King running away with first and Shez Andrews taking second place.
President of the Guyana Golf Association and Nexgen Golf Academy and Driving Range, Aleem Hussain, said, “Golfers in Guyana have been active in supporting charities, but especially Cancer Awareness for many years. Having experienced personal loss to cancer, our family of golfers are dedicated to helping as much as possible as was evident by the support by Banks DIH and Citizens Bank last year.”
He thanked the corporate sponsors for this year’s event. They included Ramesh Sunich- Trophy Stall; Yogendra Arjune- Assuria General Insurance; Karan Mehra- Vivaanta Ayurvedic Spa and Hair Salon; Sammy Arjune- Guyana Beverages; Paul Jiwanran- AR Printery; and Rudy Ramalingum- CIMGRO Maraiko Bay Golf Resort.
Hussain said he was especially grateful to witness the event being attended by experienced players from the LGC, including past president Brian Hackett, Rakesh Harry, Mahindra Harry, Romel Bhagwandin, Ajay, Ian Gouveia, Adrian Barrow, as well as newcomers Linden Pickett, Michelle Codrington, Ashley Chu, and Ms. Carter amongst the many who came out in support.
“With hundreds of golf clubs and balls now available, we expect to begin opening the sport region by region in the hopes of bringing Golf to the people in a manner that was never done before. Our goal is to have more than 2,000 new players by end of 2021, and we will make it happen,” said an exuberant Hussain.
The Guyana Golf Association and NexGen Golf Academy and Driving Range has partnered with the Scouts Association of Guyana and the Guyana Teachers’ Union to develop the state-of-the-art facility located on Woolford Avenue, minutes away from the Marriott and Pegasus Hotels.
It is open daily until 21:00h, offering classes and opportunities and providing equipment and unlimited balls for a low price.
