The 2012 Anguilla Open, from June 22-24, was “a smashing success”. That description was given by Head Golf Professional at CuisinArt Golf Course, Ryan Bowey. He was speaking to The Anguillian following the end of the event last Sunday.
“We had 22 golfers from Anguilla playing and it was good having a local crowd,” Mr Bowey said. “We had others from St. Lucia, St. Kitts, Guadeloupe, French and Dutch St.Martin/ St. Maarten and the United States. It was more of a Caribbean event.”
Apart from providing a delightful weekend for the golfers, the event was also a means of raising funds for Anguillian children who are being taught golf. “To have the first Anguilla Open, and to be able to hold it for the kids in Anguilla, is very special – and after this game we would have raised a substantial amount of money to start the programme for the children,” Mr.Bowey stated.
“Golf teaches many life lessons for youngsters – like honesty, respect, good judgment and integrity – and it is really exciting to have so much support for the first-ever Anguilla Open, and to have this money [50% of the sponsorship] for the children. It is just a huge success – even more than I imagined.”
The Head Golf Professional explained that the money, set up in a fund established by CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa, would be made available at the discretion of the Junior Golf Committee formed by CuisinArt. “We are going to distribute the money appropriately for equipment, access to the driving range and practice facility and for lessons,” he explained.
Asked how enjoyable the event was for the players, he replied: “The setting was tremendous. You can just look out the window [of the Club House] at the golf course, St. Martin/St. Maarten and the Caribbean. Everybody just had a great time. It was a smashing success and the golf course is in tremendous condition.”
Bowey was grateful to all the sponsors from Anguilla and outside the island.
The event ended with the distribution of small monetary gifts, to a number of golfers for their performance, and Anguilla-stone awards to the eight champions of the game.
At the start of the Anguilla Open on Friday, June 22, welcome remarks were delivered by General Manager of CuisinArt Golf Resort, StephaneZaharia; Head Golf Professional, Ryan Bowey; Chairman of the Anguilla Tourist Board, Eustace Guishard; and Peter Foss of General Electric (headline sponsor of the event).
