5th Daren Ganga Foundation Golf Tournament A Resounding Success
The DGF Golf Tournament is held on Glorious Saturday every year, and has become one of the most anticipated and keenly contested events on the local golf calendar. Over the last five years, golf enthusiasts have played alongside several local and regional sports icons and personalities, enjoying a competitive game of golf and an evening of fun, in support of the work of the DGF. Proceeds of this tournament go towards the Foundation’s Scholarship Programme.
For the fifth consecutive year, the Daren Ganga Foundation (DGF) held its annual golf tournament on Glorious Saturday (April 19th, 2014), at the Millennium Lakes Golf Course in Trincity. Over the five years since its inception, this tournament has become one of the most popular and anticipated events on the local golf calendar as golfers vie for top honours on the course throughout the day, as well as the opportunity to score bragging rights by trumping local sports celebrities and personalities. This year was no exception, as Daren Ganga and his golf team-mate, Rajindra Dhanraj took to the course alongside cricket legend Brian Lara, a host of seasoned golfers, and most remarkably, several young players. “I’m extremely delighted to have in our midst the future golfers of Trinidad and Tobago and we welcome them to our tournament. This is what the DGF is about; creating avenues for young people to develop and showcase their talent, and so it is more than fitting that we would play alongside these future stars. Last year, the winners were teenagers, so I’m expecting these youngsters to really challenge us today,” said Ganga at the opening ceremony.
Daren Ganga with this year’s youngest participants (L-R…Zach Correia, Ross Cabral, Zico Correia, Sarah Ramphal).
Ultimately, John Henry and Neil Waterfield emerged the overall winners, with Johannson Singh and Wayne Baptiste coming in a close second. Teams placing in the top ten were awarded highly attractive prizes including plane tickets, tablets, mobile phones, other electronic devices and hampers.
L-R (winners Neil Waterfield, John Henry, Juliana Johan-Boodram – Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Daren Ganga, Alicia Cabrera of Caribbean Airlines, Wayne Baptiste, Johannson Singh)
After the 18th hole, the competition continued off the course at the awards ceremony, where radio personality Sunny Bling once more chaired the proceedings, much to the enjoyment of guests. In keeping with tradition, cricket memorabilia were auctioned off with resounding success, as eager cricket enthusiasts and benefactors feverishly contended for two unique mementos. This year’s auction items included an official team shirt from the Mumbai Indians (IPL 2013 uniform), signed by the team (including Sachin Tendulkar) as well as the bat used by Daren Ganga during T&T’s memorable victory at the Stanford 20/20 tournament in 2008. To close off the evening, guests were treated to entertainment by Mayaro the Band, and Steph Kalloo.
All proceeds of the annual DGF Golf tournament go towards the Foundation’s Scholarship programme. Each year, the DGF selects a cohort of primary school children who demonstrate exceptional talent in an extra-curricular activity (Sports, music, dance, the arts) and grant them a three (3) year scholarship whose programmes and resources are dedicated to and focused on the development of their talents, academics, character, life skills and overall well-being. “This is not just about developing a skill or honing a talent. The DGF seeks to promote the development of good citizens and excellent human beings.” (Daren Ganga)
The success of this flagship fundraiser ensures that the scholarship programme can continue into the medium term, and would not have been a success without the generosity of sponsors. The DGF expresses heartfelt thanks to all team sponsors as well as the overall tournament and prize sponsors: The Ministry of Tourism, Bmobile, NLCB, Atlantic, SporTT, Optometrists Today, Caribbean Airlines, Blue Waters, Coors Light, Golden Key Real Estate, Rash Electronics, P.S.S.L. Petroven, L&S Surveyors, Stetchers, American Stores and Mayaro the Band.
For more information about the DGF and its programmes, please visit www.darengangafoundation.com or www.facebook.com/DarenGangaFoundation
Daren Ganga with other young golfers participating in the tournament (L-R Zach Correia, Zico Correia, Varun Singh, Dinesh Jackree)
<<Photos above by Ash Allen>>