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GUYANESE ASSOCIATION OF MANITOBA
10th Annual Golf Tournament

“The Hole in One”
By Sharmela S. Rambally

Saturday Sept 18th, 2010 was not only a beautiful sunny day; it was also quite eventful and historical for the Guyanese Association of Manitoba. After 10 years of hosting the Golf Tournament, this year is one for the record books, not only was there several surprises, a record number for teams and participants but there were also people from all races, creeds and industries. One of the surprises was also a $10,000 hole- in one sponsored by Kenneth Chum Somnath.
All this would not have been possible if it was not for the dream of Nigel Esau, who at that time was just a member of the Association, when he decided one day that he wanted to be the Guyanese “Tiger Woods” and gathered his friends, acquaintances and fellow Business Associates and proceeded to the greens. The first year they played 9 holes through rain, snow and hail but that did not sway the golfers from giving up, it just made them enjoy it more and remember playing sports in Guyana in the rain. After a long day of golfing, Nigel hosted all the participants and their supporters at this home in his garage. For 3 years, Nigel successfully put forward this event making the tournament more eventful and bigger, but after his 3rd year he was ready to surrender his 9 iron to an up and coming fellow member Kamta Roy Singh.
Under the leadership of Mr. Singh the tournament grew and developed to where it is right now. This year’s tournament took on a new turn, bringing in a record number of teams, more prizes and sponsorships and also a couple of new board members including myself-Sharmela S-Rambally and Sam Kaidnath.
As the tournament progressed and the hole in one for $10.000 shot was coming to tee for most of the teams. Everyone was getting their putters ready to make that once in a lifetime shot. As the judge and witness on the 11th hole I am glad to say that seeing the winning putt made by Nigel Tow was truly mesmerizing and mind blowing. The ball was nicely driven onto the green not 2 feet away from the hole then slowly rolled into the hole like a hot knife cutting through butter. Suddenly there was a loud roar and then a gaggle of cheers and joy. For Mr. Tow, this was a moment he could not believe and grasp, but still proceeded to golf and finish the full tournament. Asking him how he felt and what he was thinking as he made his shot, he could not answer due to the fact that he was still in shock.
Throughout the tournament there was a sense of camaraderie for the sport of golf amongst the players and teams, which made me and my fellow cohorts from the association very proud to be apart of. Overall this year’s tournament is definitely one that most people will talk about for some time and also would want to be apart of next year, to all those people I say to them “see you next year”.
The winning teams placed 1st, 2nd & 3rd, was Guyanese Connection, Lions Superstar & Optima Systems. There was also a consolation prize given out for the most honest team to the Rogers Team-consisting of 3 members put together that morning. The players just met each other that morning and decided to make it a day and enjoy themselves. Bobby, Qamrul and Victor showed everyone that you don’t need to be a great golfer to enjoy the sport. There was also several ladies participating and just like the men they proudly came fully geared up and ready to play. Showing the men that when challenged they too can come out ahead. Winning longest putt for the ladies was Doy Sankar, closes to the hole went to a new comer who never golfed before Sabrina and the closest to the crooked line was shot by Deb Kitching.
Again to recap, the 10th Annual Golf Tournament hosted by the Guyanese Association of Manitoba was not only extremely successful, fun and enjoyed by all involved, it was also a record breaking event that everyone involved in the planning and execution should be very proud.
Cheers to all and here to the “hole in one.”