Twelve-year-old steals show at Guyana Open golf tourney

History will record that Canadian-based Guyanese Jaipaul Suknanan won the men’s category and Christine Sukhram the ladies title in a very exciting showdown when the Smirnoff Open Golf championships climaxed at the Lusignan Golf Course last weekend.

But a little 12-year-old “Wonder boy” Avinda Persaud, who started playing golf only two months ago, stole the show and the hearts of golf enthusiasts with his fearless hitting during the event taking home four major titles.

However, for new men’s champion Suknanan, the lesson to be learnt is perseverance. The champion told Stabroek Sport that he had returned to Guyana on numerous occasions to compete in the Guyana Open but the title had always eluded him adding that he was elated to be triumphant this time round.

Suknanan was locked in a close battle with Vijay Deo and Salim Rasheed of the United States but took charge with two holes to play and eventually won with a gross 156, while Deo had a gross 161 for second place, and Rasheed third with 162.

Sukhram, playing with a six handicap was in total control in the ladies’ half as she recorded a net 144 to Hanka Wallkerstrof (28 handicap) and Petra Beens (17 handicap) both of Suriname with scores of 146 and 151 respectively.

Shafeek Subhan was the winner of the 10-17 flight with a gross 138 beating into second position Robin Singh who shot 148. Subhan also had the best gross of the day 80 while the best gross over the twos of competition went to Lester Alvis with 169.

The men’s 18-28 flight saw young Persaud having the best net of 148 points and the best gross of 184, Maurice Solomon was second with a net of 151.

In other individual awards on day one, Mel Sankies had the best gross and Persaud the best net in the 18-28 category, in the 10-17 flight, Ian Gouveia recorded the best gross and best net, while Suknanan was dominant in the 0-9 flight topping both gross and net scores.

On day two, Sukhram won the ladies Long Drive prize, while Wallkerstrof won the prize for Closest to the Pin.

The men’s long drive winner was Subhan while Alfred Mentore was closest to the pin.

Clifford Reis with a net 74 was the best in the men’s 18-28 flight, while Persaud had the best gross of 93.

Robin Singh of Canada had the best net in the 10-17 flight with 71, while Colin Ming had the best gross of 86.

Mentore had the best net of 67 in the men’s 0-9 flight while Deo recorded the best net of 74.

A special award was presented to Stabroek News reporter Troy Peters in recognition of his media coverage of golf.

Director of Sport Neil Kumar and Banks DIH Marketing Executive Carlton Joao assisted in the presentation of prizes.

Minister of Culture Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony in brief remarks said he was impressed with the work being done by the executive of the Lusignan Golf Club and made special reference to the Junior Development programme which the club hosted back in August in collaboration with the `Reds’ Perreira Foundation.

President of the Lusignan Golf Club Hilbert Shields expressed gratitude to tournament committee which was headed by Raj Sankar and included Ming, Brian Glasford, Gouveia as well as the ground staff headed by Mike Mangal.

The two-day championships were sponsored by Smirnoff Vodka through its local distributors, Banks DIH Ltd.