Former President/Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds will take the tee off honors in the inaugural Assuria General Insurance three-hole golf tournament which starts Wednesday at the Nexgen Golf Academy on Woolford Avenue.
Hinds, who is set to become Guyana’s Ambassador to the USA, recently started golfing with his young grandson Marcus Jr., and has become an avid fan of the sport, with both progressing well under the training received from the academy’s golf teaching methods which boasts that anyone can learn to hit the ball in 15 minutes or less.
The three-hole tournament is designed to allow beginners to experience the game and learn the rules of play while having fun and winning prizes and trophies that are being provided by one of the leading Insurance companies in Guyana.
The event, which will be staged under strict COVID-19 guidelines, is free and open to everyone who has ever wanted to try the sport with complimentary equipment, balls and lessons provided during the four day activity. Music, food, drinks and fun are the main ingredients for the activities which start at 16:00hrs daily.
In addition to winning the title of inaugural three-hole champion in one of the four categories (men’s, women’s, under 12 and under 21), players of all skill levels will have chances to win prizes for Nearest to the Pin shots and have three chances to win a round trip ticket anywhere that Copa Airlines flies in the world if they score a Hole in One during the competition.
Players will post scores by playing on any of the four days set aside for the competition (to allow for the COVID-19 guidelines compliance) and must complete the hole by putting into the cup and tallying the total number of shots taken (lowest scores will win).
This is the first time a tournament golf will be played in Georgetown in over 50 years and also the first 3-hole tournament of its kind worldwide. The creation of the facility in the heart of the city, playing under bright floodlights has seen over 600 new players (mostly women and children) take up the game, one that was previously considered to be just for a certain class of persons.
Assuria General Insurance, with offices all over the country, is focused on Guyana’s health and sees the promotion of an active lifestyle as necessary for an active nation as the established health benefits, especially during these COVID-19 conditions (golf is one of the few sports that fully complies with the guidelines) cannot be fully appreciated unless measured by the reduction in stress, diabetes, hypertension and obesity and costs associated with the treatment for these common illnesses.
Assuria General Insurance is a major sponsor of the game in Guyana and a main supporter of the Guyana Golf Association’s push to develop the game in the school system.
General Manager Yogindra Arjune said “to see the sheer joy and excitement on the faces of kids who never thought they would be able to experience Golf is more than enough reward and we will continue to put our strength behind efforts to make their dreams a reality.”
Players are asked to register early by calling 645 0944 or visiting the Academy & Driving Range on Woolford Avenue. Information about the event is available on Facebook pages of Assuria General Insurance, Guyana Golf Association and Nexgen Golf Academy.
