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Golfers to putt for charity

The Sandals Foundation, which is the organiser of the 2011 Panasonic Golf Classic, is looking to top the achievements of last year, which saw them raise US$70,000, as they aim to break the US$80,000 barrier this time around.

Last year's proceeds were used to build the Seville Golden Preschool, which currently caters for 78 students. This year's charity of choice is the St Ann's Bay Hospital Pharmacy, while the Sandals Junior Golf Academy is also set to benefit.

The foundation's major fund-raising events are the Panasonic Golf Classic, which will take place November 19-20, and a Live and Silent Auction, which will be held on the evening of the 19th. The tournament, which is set to tee off at 7 a.m. each day, will on Sunday see the participants paired based on their scores from the previous day.

This year's golf tournament will be administered by the Jamaica Golf Association and will consist of two new features, as there will be a professional division, which will see pros from across Jamaica and the Caribbean compete for a purse of $300,000. There will also be a junior division, with youngsters competing in two age groups: under-15 and over 15.

The tournament, as is customary, will feature the top amateurs from across the island. They will be separated into three categories: men, senior men, super senior men and ladies. In addition, there will be a senior professional division.

Adam Stewart, CEO of Sandals Resorts International and president of the board of directors, Sandals Foundation, believes corporate Jamaica has a duty to help the less fortunate.

Duty to help the less fortunate

"I believe that we really have a duty to take care of the less fortunate people around us, and it is easier to do charitable work than people understand," Stewart expressed while speaking at yesterday's press launch at Sandals Golf and Country Club. "In one night we raised US$70,000, and that money that was raised has affected almost a hundred students right here in the parish," he added.

CEO of the St Ann's Bay Hospital, Keith Richards, is very pleased that the Sandals Foundation has decided to partner with his institution, and believes the improvements to be made will go a far way in improving service.

"We will be able to dissect the different services; outpatients versus inpatients, categorise the levels of staff, have accountability and improve the expedience of services to the clientele that we serve," Richards outlined.

On board with title sponsors Panasonic are Ansel Golaub, ATL Autohaus, Caribbean Producers Limited, Chukka Caribbean Adventure Tours, Dolphin Cove, Island Routes Caribbean Adventure Tours, Mystic Mountain, Rainforest Seafoods, Red Stripe, Stocks and Securities Limited, and Wisynco Distributors.

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