By Avenash Ramzan
After two days of intense rivalry at the country’s lone golf course at Lusignan, Avinda ‘Ganguly’ Kishore and Shanella London were crowned new champions of the Guyana Open on Sunday afternoon.
As the sun set on the sprawling East Coast Demerara facility, Kishore and London were outfitted with the sponsor’s jacket, a symbol of supremacy at the country’s premier golf tournament, much to the delight of their cheering entourage.
It was a second Guyana Open title for both winners, who were understandably elated to lift the prized possession, topping a field of 76 competitors.
Kishore, with a handicap of three, was dominant throughout, emerging with an overall Best Gross of 137 and Net 131. The 27-year-old, who won his first title in 2013, had a Gross of 68 on the opening day and 69 on the final day.
Remarkably, Kishore was under par on both days.
Kishore’s brother Avinash Persaud, who was the champion of the last tournament in 2019, had to settle for second with a Gross of 145 and Net 147.
Kishore told News Room Sport after the win: “What I did there, nobody never did that and that is what I had to do- play under par (to beat my brother). To beat this guy, you have to play under par on this course; he knows this course inside out.”
“I know if I beat him, I will win the tournament, and I feel really good about this victory.”
There was no love lost between the brothers.
Persaud, the 10-time Guyana Open champion, said, “I’m happy for him, he played good golf. He was the better player on the days and he deserved to win. We keep it simple; the trophy is in the same house, so I’m glad for him.”
Kassim Khan finished third with Gross 150 and Net 140.
On the Women’s side, London won on a countback against 2019 champion and the Open’s most decorated female Christine Sukhram. Both players ended with Gross 160, but London, with a better Gross score on day two, was adjudged the winner.
Two-time champion Joaan Deo finished third with Gross 165.
London heaped praises on the Almighty and her coach Pope Emmanuel London for lifting her to the pinnacle of the female division.
“It was plenty nerves I must say. After playing yesterday I knew today would have been the day. I even went ahead and I created a rag ‘Guyana Open champion 2021 Shanella London’, so to God be the glory.”
Sukhram had the overall Best Net of 136, with Anasha Ally coming in second with 140.
In the Men’s 10-18 handicap, Rakesh Harry had the overall Best Net (136) and Best Gross (158), while in the 19-28 handicap, Videsh Persaud emerged with the overall Best Net (130) and Best Gross (172).
Guyanese apart, the tournament attracted golfers from Barbados, Canada, USA, Colombia, England, Zimbabwe and Ghana.
