The Tribune

FREEPORT, Bahamas — As spring approaches, so do the hot days of the Bahamian sun, but thankfully the Bahamian Brewery and Beverage Company was able to enjoy a breezy and not too warm Sunday on the greens for their 9th Annual Sands Beer Golf Tournament in Grand Bahama.

Joining forces with The Fortune Hills Golf Association the annual tournament was held on lucky St Patrick’s Day, with lots of beer to go around.

“It was good to see such a well-attended tournament on Sunday,” noted Nigel Kirkby, a local player who also won longest drive.

“The Reef Course is looking really good right now and the Sands set-up was excellent, as was the meal, and of course the cold beer!”

Based on a two-ball scramble, the near capacity event had 72 male and female players, who started on the shotgun with handicap team selection by blind draw to mix high and low handicaps. As an avid golfer himself, Bahamian Brewery CEO Jimmy Sands was in attendance for the event and gave out prizes as well as announcing a new feature to the event.

“I’d like to thank Robbie Butler and Peter Collins for their work in organising this event,” noted the Sands CEO.

“We started this tournament hoping to add another challenge to the snow bird golf season here in Freeport, the brewery’s home - and it’s really taken off. This year we increased fees so that we can give back, profits after expenses will go to help the Grand Bahama Home for the Aged. I’m so pleased to see a full field of players and some good friends.”

The tournament kicked off at 9am and ended at 1pm for lunch and awards. This year’s winners received cash prizes and every player also took home a case of ‘66 steps’ BBB’s latest beer as a personal gift from the CEO, known as ‘Jimmy’.

Results of the day were announced with the men’s awards going to:

1st net - Marcus Gouthro/Allan Gardner (54.6);

2nd net - Martin Brent/Otto Fountain (54.9); low gross, Allison Stuart/Elvis Butler (71), longest drive - Nigel Kirkby and closest to pin, Wayne Boyd. The lady’s awards went to: Low Net - Mireille Lods/Sue Urban (56.2), Low Gross - Kyndall Campbell/Joyce Harrison (78) with Longest Drive going to- Cheryl Triland and closest to the pin, Kyndall Campbell also the youngest competitor in the tournament. The one-day event has now become an annual staple in the golfing community in Freeport.

“Jimmy and the Brewery are longtime supporters of the Fortune Hills Golf Association,” noted Collins. “The Association thanks him, his staff, the Reef team, the players, and of course the brew master for making this St Patrick’s day a great one with lots of Sands beer on hand!”