The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

THE 21st annual Duke of Edinburgh Cup, the Bahamas’ semifinals of the Charity Golf Tournament, is all set for Sunday at the Ocean Golf Club on Paradise Island.

And according to Viana Gardiner, the vice president of public affairs and special projects for the host Atlantis resort, they are anticipating one of the most exciting events staged so far.

The event, which supports the Governor General’s Youth Award Programme, will tee off at 8am. It will close out with the awards ceremonies, which will be attended by Governor General CA Smith.

“We put on this tournament every year so that the proceeds can go to the Governor General’s Youth Award Programme,” Gardiner said. “They are like a youth organisation.

“Their sole purpose is to empower young people. They do a lot of outdoor physical activities and camping. So it’s their way of trying to prepare these young people to be world ready and to take on life changes and so we have partnered with them to help raise some funds.”

The tournament is designed for teams of four, which is broken down into a pair of teams where the top twosomes of the winning team get an all-expense paid trip to England to participate in the finals, which is the top prize.

Tireflex is offering a brand new Mercedes Benz for a hole in one; Atlantis will provide multiple weekend stays at its resort and dinners at various restaurants; John Bull gives an assortment of jewellery and there’s also dinner prizes at Graycliff.

This year, as a part of the 50th anniversary of the Bahamas, Gardiner revealed that Fidelity Bank & Trust and Doctor’s Hospital are both coming on board as gold sponsors, providing $15,000 each.

Cable Bahamas silver sponsors at $10,000 and there are several bronze sponsors.

“A really important aspect of the tournament this year is the fact that we have added a special day on Saturday where we will once again host a student golf clinic for the students of the GGYA,” Gardiner said.

“Last year, we entertained about 70-75 students from the programme, who got to come over to the golf course and they were instructed by the golf course pro instructor.”

Gardiner said they intend to host their second GGYA clinic on Saturday starting at 10am.

“Some of them have never been exposed to the game of golf and don’t understand the game,” Gardiner said.

“So it’s like a tutorial introduction to the game. This gives us a chance to spend some time with them because the tournament on Sunday is for the adult golfers.

“So this gives them a chance to get their chance to enjoy themselves.”

So far, more than 108 players have already registered to participate in the tournament on Sunday.

“The tournament could not take place without corporate sponsors and so we are so very grateful for all of the corporate sponsors, who assist us year after year,” Gardiner said.

“The funds go directly to the students of the GGYA programme.”