The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

THE Rotary Club of East Nassau is set to host one of the signature events on its sporting calendar and a major fundraiser focused on community outreach.

RCEN’s 31st Annual Charity Golf Tournament is scheduled for May 8 with a 12:30pm shotgun start at The Ocean Club Golf Course, Paradise Island.

It was officially announced at a press conference yesterday that the tournament will be powered by Aliv, as the telecommunications company became a platinum sponsor.

Club President, Diane De Cardenas, said the golf tournament goes a long way in funding several initiatives. 

“We are honoured that Aliv chose Rotary to partner with and add to the portfolio of other events they have supported in this country,” she said. “RCEN supports numerous community events. A few of our programmes have become community staples such as our feeding programme in Fox Hill. Every two weeks we visit 10-15 families and it’s not just the food but it’s the cheer and emotional support. The next is illiteracy and numeracy programmes with adults and children throughout the country. These initiatives are Project Read on Village Road, which is open to any adult that needs assistance at any level. For the children we have an aided reading and math system that we have implemented in several summer and after school programmes. Our club is also involved in The Road to Peace. All of the clubs are into this, just to fight the violence in our country, one of the ways we do that is through youth sports. Empowering kids through teamwork and self-respect through sports is amazing and also it can give them opportunities to get scholarships later on for school.”

This golf tournament serves as one of RCEN’s main fundraising activities for for just over three decades and raises approximately $120,000 each year from entry fees and sponsorships to aid The Scout Association of The Bahamas and the aforementioned initiatives.

Since its inception, the tournament has raised approximately $3 million.

“All of what we raise is going toward these charities. This is a purely a donation going back into the community,” said tournament director Ryan Treco. “The tournament has been sold out every year and it is a very positive, well-liked event throughout the community. This is something we hope to continue and we wouldn’t be able to do it without the help of our sponsors. Many of the sponsors we just have to make a phone call or they contact us because they know from it’s track record it’s been a successful event and it goes back into the community. Everyone is prepared to give and they are ready to participate without us even asking, however, we do need to continue to grow and continue pursuing to become even more successful.”

In addition to Aliv, other sponsors include Island Luck, the Atlantis Resort, Roya Star Assurance, BWA, Cable Bahamas, Scotiabank, The Tribune, Compass Power Solutions, Odyssey Aviation and Global Pacific Group.

Bianca Bethel-Sawyer, ALIV events and sponsorship manager, said the partnership is indicative of the company’s commitment to youth development through sport.

“Aliv, The Bahamas’ newest mobile network company, is extremely delighted to announce our partnership with the Rotary Club of East Nassau and the Scout Association of The Bahamas. Golf is still increasing in popularity throughout the country and so our sponsorship underscores our commitment to encourage growth and development through the sport in The Bahamas,” she said. “This partnership will transcend the boundaries of the tournament itself as well, because not only will the Scout Association benefit, but other Rotary sponsored community service organisations as well – something ALIV is dedicated to – giving back to those in need. We hope that all involved in the organisation in the tournament and participants as well, enjoy the positive experience that the sport has, including the appreciation for the values of hard work, discipline, and fair play.  We’re excited to watch outstanding plays on the golf course and look forward to growing the relationship with the Rotary Club of East Nassau.”