The Tribune

FREEPORT, Bahamas – Both beer and golf have found their ideal location in Grand Bahama, as the Bahamian Brewery and Beverage Company announced a special partnership with the Bahamas Golf Federation.

The brewery has agreed to be a sponsor in the upcoming Mychal “Sweetbells” Thompson/Fred Higgs Invitational Golf Classic.

In celebration of the Bahamas Golf Federation’s 50th anniversary, the tournament is scheduled to take place at the Grand Lucayan Reef Golf Course on July 22. A cocktail party is planned for July 21.

The tournament will host 20 teams and more than 50 players in a scramble format. The Bahamas Basketball Federation and its president Charles “Softly” Robins will also benefit, as well as the Foundation for Mychal Thompson, a retired Bahamian professional basketball player.

Owner and CEO James ‘Jimmy’ Sands expressed his delight to be able to lend a helping hand to the association. “Things are starting to look a little brighter here in Grand Bahama with an event such as this with people coming in from all over the world. I can see great things happening and I’m very pleased to be a sponsor for this tournament.”

Ambrose Gouthro, vice president of the BGF, visited the brewery to personally thank Sands for his sponsorship and incidentally, mentioned that Sands beer is actually a favourite among many golfers, including himself. “I want to thank James Sands and the Bahamian Brewery for coming on as one of the sponsors. He is a true entrepreneur who definitely puts his money where his mouth is when it comes to Grand Bahama, Freeport in particular,” said Gouthro.

He added that the federation is in desperate need for funds and the number one problem golfers face is the lack of space to play, practice and perfect their technique because they simply cannot afford it. Hence the reason why sponsorships from the Bahamian Brewery and others, like the Grand Lucayan Hotel and the Ocean Club Golf Course in Nassau, are so beneficial to the federation.

The purpose of the tournament comes in three-fold - to raise money for the association, aid in national golf teams being sent off to compete and will also assist in the planning for the upcoming Caribbean Amateur Golf Championships 2014/2015, of which the Bahamas Golf Federation is the host.

“This is only the first year for the tournament but we hope to make it an annual event and I know Jimmy will enjoy it and I am hopeful that this will be a continued partnership as we go forward,” said Gouthro.