Antigua players Sarafina Nicolas and Sabienea Winston pose with Gitte Poulsen and Anne Marie Bouille on the Mullet Bay course. (Photo Robert Luckock)
MULLET BAY-- In the first St. Maarten Open Golf Tournament held post-hurricane Irma, the spirit of positive continuity and perseverance was embodied by Mr. Marlin George. He turned out to be the best player in the two-day tournament held the past weekend with a cumulative score of 153. The visiting player from Antigua proved to be the sharpest and most consistent on both days. The Tournament Overall Low Net was won by David Ward from the USA with a total Low Net score of 123.
The Sxm Open Tournament started with an opening reception for players and sponsors on Friday evening at the Sunset Beach Bar.
The first round of the tournament got underway on Saturday morning with a total of 65 players representing St. Maarten and St. Martin, a large group of golfers from Anguilla, as well as France, Colombia, Antigua, USA, Nevis, Trinidad and the Netherlands.
After the second round on Sunday a recognition party was held at Tortuga Beach Bar and Lounge, where Awards were given to the numerous winners and auctions were held as well as raffles.
Jan Peter Holtland from St. Maarten won the Closet to Pin competition Saturday in the senior group at 25-feet 5-inches. Manon Tortelier of St. Martin took top honours in the ladies group with 33-feet one-inch. Jonathan Haillant from St. Martin won the men’s Closets at 37-feet and Buzz Adamski of St. Maarten won the super senior group at 5-feet 2and ¼ inches.
Tortelier also won Longest drive Saturday. Wilston Charles of Antigua won the men’s group and Lester Samuel from Anguilla took top honours in the seniors. Richard Gibson from St. Maarten was Longest of the super seniors.
Adamski and Holtland repeated as Closest to the pin on Sunday. Adamski was 3-feet 6 inches away and Holtland 40-feet. Anne Marie Bouille of St. Martin won the ladies group at 8-feet-7 and Gill Moriniere of St. Martin took the men’s title at 30-feet.
Tortelier and Gibson repeated at Longest drive Sunday. Didier Kerfourn of St. Maarten won the senior drive and Darren Banks of Anguilla was longest for the men.
The St. Maarten Golf Association (SMGA) tournament was made possible in partnership with Mullet Bay Resort & Golf Course, combined with the relentless efforts from its members, volunteers and the tremendous support it received from both the local and international business community. Proceeds from the event will benefit pre-selected community organizations
supporting sports for the youth of St. Maarten.
Platinum sponsors were Anderson Fabrics, Anton Assurances, Caribtrans, CC1, First Auto, SXM Générali Assurance, 3/3 First Auto SXM, RBC Bank, SOL Antilles, SXM Timeshare Association, Nagico and Teledom.
GOLD sponsors were Arawak, Boogaard Insurances, BZSE Law Office, The Daily Herald, Electec, First Caribbean International Bank, Grant Thornton, Great Bay Beach Resort, Guardian Insurances, Holland House Beach Hotel, La Soufrière, BWA Yachting, SBS Building Supplies, S.H.T.A., St. Maarten Ports Authority, Starz City Casino, St. Maarten Tourist Office, Sunset Beach Bar, Tortuga Bar & Restaurant,
Winair Airlines, Winward Island Bank and WYSO.
