The Tribune

WINNERS of a Costa Sunglasses and Budweiser promotion enjoyed their “once in a lifetime” vacation in the Bahamas, fly-fishing and snorkelling in waters off Deep Water Cay.

Flown to the beautiful resort, situated at the eastern end of Grand Bahama, by private charter and given an all expenses paid stay at the world renowned Deep Water Cay, five couples were thrilled to be part of this luxurious vacation.

Merle and Tina McDowell from Daytona Beach, Florida, had never been to the Bahamas.

“This is a one-in-a-million trip,” said a beaming Merle as he prepared to try fly-fishing for the first time in his life.“We keep pinching ourselves and can’t believe our luck.”

Merle and Tina, along with four other couples from Florida and Georgia, won their dream vacation by texting a winning phrase to Budweiser beer via a promotion held in participating stores.

“The joint promotion was held along with Costa Sunglasses and ran for 45 days,” explained Stephen Repanshek, an Anheuser-Bush key accounts manager.

“Our winners met the Costa team in Fort Lauderdale and we flew them in yesterday right to Deep Water Cay’s private airstrip.”

Activities were planned for each day and night of the winners’ vacation including an evening trip to Seagull restaurant on Sweeting’s Cay, daily fishing trips and use of all the resorts’ amenities. Winners were also recipients of new sunglasses and great gear courtesy of the Costa franchise.

Of course, as the promotion was in conjunction with Anheuser-Busch and specifically Budweiser, there was a common refreshment on hand at all events.

“Thanks to the local distributor for Budweiser, Burns House, we were able to have Budweiser in stock for the events,” said Bill Culbreath, resident manager. “We are having a great time with the winners. We cater to our guests and I think they are enjoying the individualised attention they are getting from our staff. The weather has been phenomenal and we hope the fishing will be too.”

Mr Culbreath was also very pleased to have been the chosen property for the winners.

“It is wonderful that Deep Water Cay was promoted to such a large audience in the US,” he said.

“At our closest point we are a quick 40-minute flight from Florida and our private airport is a wonderful bonus for those who can charter straight to the cay. We hope that this additional advertising will help promote our cay and the beauty of Grand Bahama.”