The top golfers in the country will begin their preparation for the Guyana Open when they take to the Lusignan Golf Course in the Citizen’s Bank Cancer Awareness and Banks DIH Classic today and tomorrow respectively.
The tournaments were officially launched yesterday at the Thirst Park-based head office of both companies where Lusignan Golf Club president, Aleem Hussain, detailed the longstanding partnership between the club and the corporate sponsors.
“This is a special weekend for us at the Lusignan Golf Club…they have been a long time sponsor, Banks has been a partner for longer than I could imagine but this week, the course is in excellent condition for the double header for the Banks family with Saturday having the Citizen’s Bank Cancer Awareness tournament.
Today’s tournament, which tees off at 12.30 hours, is a specially listed tournament which was given the go-ahead by the Board of Directors with the traditional Classic set to tee off at 08.30 hours tomorrow.
Hussain said tomorrow’s contest was “probably the biggest tournament” and one of the “most extraordinary competitions” on the local scene with the sponsors going all out since it leads directly into the Guyana Open.
Banks will be represented by Chief Engineer, Gavin Todd and Liquor Warehouse Executive, Mark Lashley, who have both issued a warning to the contenders, including each other.
Since the competition leads into the Guyana Open, it is customary to feature the same flights as the premier tournament. The Championship Flight being 0-9 handicap while the Intermediate (10-18 handicap) and C Flight (19-28) are also being contested.
Hussain indicated that it is dependent on the turnout of the women to see if they will have their separate category but expressed that there will be prizes for the longest drive and nearest to the pin as well as second and third places in each category.
Communications Manager of the sponsors, Troy Peters, said the company is extremely happy to partner with the sport and is proud to help spread Cancer Awareness while promoting a healthy lifestyle as well as being part of the Guyana Open over the years.
Peters indicated that he is aware of international golfers already coming to local shores and is confident that these tournament will be keenly contested.
