Month: November 2023

November 2, 2023November 2, 2023

BHTA golf tournament resumes at Royal Blue

SHOWN, from left to right, are first place winner Tony Aranha, Robert “Sandy” Sands, President of The Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) and First Place Winner Neale Jones.

As of Wednesday, November 1, 2023

#THE Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) “resumed play” as the organisation brought back its immensely popular Annual “Spooktacular Golf Tournament” at the behest of players and corporate sponsors – after a three-year hiatus.

#This year’s tournament, held on Sunday, October 29 at The Royal Blue Golf Club at Baha Mar, was met with excitement and enthusiasm by throngs of golfers who enjoyed a beautiful day of play amidst a bevy of animated, interactive, aptly themed corporate “fun stations” that were interspersed along the green.

#The tournament has become a favourite of the golfing community, due to the enthusiastic support of corporate sponsors, many of whom are directly or indirectly linked to the tourism industry.

#These loyal supporters donate an array of valuable prizes, provide a wealth of gift bag giveaways and corporate swag bag items, in addition to their donation of funds and fun to ensure golfers have an all-inclusive day of competitive golf and entertainment.

#The coveted tournament victory went to repeat winners Neale Jones and Tony Aranha who walked away with the first place trophy and top prize staycations at Bah Mar’s Rosewood and SLS properties. Second place was awarded to Javier Bowe and Lynford Miller and third place went to two junior golfers, Maddison Carroll and Anissa Robinson, who clinched their top tier title amidst a cadre of seasoned golfers.

#The two young ladies were pleased to be invited to play on Restaurant Bahamas’ Team – they represented the long-term corporate supporter with grace and determination.

#All top team players won prizes such as luxurious hotel stays at Goldwynn Resorts & Residences, Baha Mar’s Grand Hyatt and the Royal Towers at the Atlantis resort on Paradise Island.

#Newcomer Commonwealth Brewery Ltd. (CBL) came on board with enthusiasm as a corporate sponsor and event partner.

#CBL paired with BHTA to take the tourney’s prize ceremony to newly elevated levels of fun and anticipation. Golfers gathered under the CBL prize party tent surrounded by beverage stations conveniently located on the green apron of The Royal Blue Clubhouse. Effervescent CBL executives and team members served thirsty golfers with a variety of CBL distributed beer, wine and bubbly brands as the players eagerly awaited the results of the tally.

#Major sponsors of this year’s tournament also included Baha Mar, Baha Mar Foundation, Atlantis, Margaritaville Beach Resort and it’s soon-to-be-open neighbour, The British Colonial, The Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board (NPIPB), Royal Fidelity Bank and Trust, John Watling’s Distillery, The Paradise Island Tourism Development Association (PITDA), The Bahamas Out Islands Promotion Board (BOIPB), Restaurants Bahamas, J.S. Johnson and The d’Albenas Agency.

#Over half a dozen corporate sponsors set up “fun stations” along the course where they provided golfers with the opportunity to network, interact, play games and win prizes.

#Golfers were asked to vote for their top three best fun stations. Taking first place was Margaritaville Beach Resort, who served sliders and rum infused cake to hungry golfers, who were invited to bike ‘n’ blend their own margarita before they took aim on the beautiful 16th Hole.

#NPIPB won second place in the Golfers Choice award, with its brightly coloured, balloon-strewn Haunted House featuring unique spooky cocktails, Halloween music and giveaways, while Royal Fidelity took third spot as they enticed players off their tee with their exquisitely decorated cocktail lounge, their variety of libations served by aptly attired “Day of the Dead” costumed servers and staff.

#The tourney has become known for its quantity and quality of prizes, the fun and frolic as well as the competitive level of play. Prize donors included Atlantis Paradise Island, Royal Blue Golf Club, Rosewood, SLS, Grand Hyatt, Goldwynn Resorts and Residences, Abaco Beach Resort, Comfort Suites, British Colonial, Embrace Resort, Pelican Bay, Graycliff Hotel, Makers Air, Lyford Cay Club, Rentokil, Green Systems Ltd., Baha Bay, John Watlings, Commonwealth Brewery, and Bahamas Wholesale Agencies (BWA).

#Robert “Sandy” Sands, president of the BHTA, thanked players, corporate sponsors, prize donators and the Royal Blue Golf Club team for helping to make the association’s 22nd annual Spooktacular event a resounding success.

#The proceeds of the event help power the organisations integral workforce development efforts, a key component of the BHTA’s mandate.

November 2, 2023November 2, 2023

Girls’ softball field of dreams dedicated at SAC in memory of the late Charlotte Pyfrom

DEDICATION DAY: Glen Ritchie, Floridell Adderley, Geno Nairn, Glenn Archer, Monsignor Alfred Culmer, Sonja Knowles, Mike Rolle, Marici Thompson and Sean McWeeney.

As of Wednesday, November 1, 2023

Geno Nairn throws out a pitch. Photos: Fabian Whymns

Mike Rolle making his remarks.

SAC principal Marici Thompson making her remarks.

Floridell Adderley and Glen Ritchie unveiling the plaque.

Glen Ritchie delivers a pitch.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#IN the midst of their quest for another successful Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools campaign, the Big Red Machine kept the memory of deceased former head of department Charlotte Pyfrom alive with the dedication of its girls’ softball Field of Dreams at St Augustine’s College.

#The blessing and unveiling of the plaque in honour of Pyfrom took place yesterday morning. The ceremony was conducted by Monsignor Alfred Culmer, who filled in for Catholic Archbishop Patrick Pinder.

#Among the dignitaries on hand were Sean McSweeney, Mike Rolle, chairman of the Unca Lou Charity Foundation, Glen Ritchie of Family Guardian, who represented Pyfrom’s family and minor league baseball player Trent Deveaux.

#After Tristan Roberts, president of the Student Council, gave a spirited welcome address to the visiting dignitaries, the faculty and staff, students and special guests, who included Floridell Adderley – the wife of the late principal Deacon Leviticus ‘Unca Lou’ Adderley – and remarks were made by Ritchie and Rolle, McSweeney unveiled the plaque to the softball field that was read by principal Marici Thompson.

#Thompson, who is also the current principal, said this was just the completion of phase one of the field of dreams project.

#Nonetheless, she honoured those persons who made it possible to realise the initial dream yesterday for a lady who was worthy of praise and recognition.

#“In honour and recognition of Charlotte Pyfrom, 1951-2022, Mrs Pyfrom was a faithful and dedicated physical education teacher at St Augustine’s College for 17 years. The family of Mrs Pyfrom and the family of Family Guardian made a generous contribution towards the completion of the ladies’ softball field.”

#Rolle, who worked on a committee that included Freddie Albury, Geno Nairn, Van Diah and Glen Archer, said they were inspired by the late Unca Lou Adderley, who started an indelible school pride for all who attended SAC.

#“Every SAC student who was graced by the presence of this giant of a man was left with something even greater than pride,” Rolle said. “You were left with love. He was so beloved by his students, he became known as Unca Lou. He was a father figure, a mentor, a teacher, a coach and a confidante.”

#Having been taught by Unca Lou in his math class, Rolle said he remembered the vision that he had for a multi-sport complex at the school, which would consist of a running track facility, softball fields and a multi-purpose gymnasium.

#“His passing put that dream on hold,” Rolle said. “However, the dream was kept alive by Eugene Nairn, Pat Walkes and others who have encouraged me and together we formed the Unca Lou Charity and undertook to see the dream begin to materialise.”

#After hosting a successful golf tournament last year, Rolle said they began the process for the creation of the ladies’ softball field. He said a men’s baseball field is next followed by a first-class track and field facility.

#Representing Family Guardian and the family of the late Pyfrom, Ritchie, another graduate of SAC, said the event marks an occasion to recognise the contribution of a wonderful person, an educator and a friend.

#“Charlotte spent 17 happy years here at St Augustine’s College where she taught physical education and nurtured young athletes,” Ritchie recalled.

#“She was unweaving in her dedication to her students and this fine institution, ensuring that their bodies were strengthened, along with their minds.

#“Charlotte not only taught the rudiments of each sport, she instilled discipline, she fostered camaraderie, she pushed her students to excel and she immiserated with them when they fell short of the mark.

#“She encouraged everyone she encountered to do their best, no matter the task at hand.”

#As a result of those attributes, Ritchie said Family Guardian and the Pyfrom family combined their resources to assist in the completion of the ladies’ softball field that was dedicated in her honour.

#Pyfrom, according to Ritchie, played her role as a member of the board for 25 years.

#“The dedication of this field in her honour is a tangible representation of the respect and adoration we all feel for her,” he pointed out. “To the students gathered here, who will use this facility, none of you would have met or been taught by Mrs Pyfrom, but it is my hope that her spirit of sporting excellence will carry on in you.”

#As for those personally acquainted with her either as a colleague, a teacher or a friend, Ritchie said he hopes that her memory will live on in their hearts and minds.

November 2, 2023November 2, 2023

12 to be inducted into Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture’s Class of 23 National Hall of Fame

HALL OF FAMERS — Pictured seated from left to right are John Johnson, Jennifer Isaacs-Dotson, Fernley Palmer and Montez Williams of the Ministry of Sports. Standing in back from left are Oria Wood-Knowles, Lawrence ‘Larry’ Davis, James ‘Sam’ Brown, Minister Mario Bowleg, Anton Sealey, Craig Flowers, Kelsie Johnson-Sills, director of sports and consultant Harrison Thompson. Photo: Andrew Laroda

As of Wednesday, November 1, 2023

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#SATURDAY will be a special day for 12 more distinguished Bahamian sporting personalities. They will be inducted into the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture’s Class of 23 National Hall of Fame.

#The ceremony will take place on the lawn of the ministry’s headquarters starting at 6:30pm.

#During the ceremony, the ministry will also select its outstanding athletes, teams and coaches for their achievements during the past year.

#The event is being staged under the theme: “United in sports – A Golden Jubilee.” Being inducted are Lawrence ‘Larry’ Davis (basketball), Anton Sealey (soccer), Allan Murray (swimming), John Johnson (basketball), Craig Flowers (golf), Peter Pratt (track and field), Mark Knowles (tennis), Irvin Taylor (cricket), Jennifer Isaacs-Dotson (volleyball), Yvonne Lockhart (softball), Fernley Palmer (boxing) and James ‘Sam’ Brown (cycling).

#During a press conference on Monday at the Ministry of Sports, more than half of the honourees were introduced to the public.

#Those in attendance expressed their delight in receiving the gesture.

#Issacs-Dotson, who played a number of sporting disciplines but really excelled in volleyball as a setter and softball as an infielder, called it a “dream come true” for her.

#“To receive this award and to be recognised nationally is overwhelming,” said Isaacs-Dotson, who now serves as the first female president of the Bahamas Softball Federation. “It’s also humbling as well to be recognised with the persons you are with as Hall of Famers.”

#Looking at the class, Isaacs-Dotson said it’s one filled with a lot of people who deserve the recognition because of what they accomplished during their era, so she’s enthused and excited to be a part of the class.

#For her, the highlight would be when she was a member of the women’s national volleyball team that lost the Caribbean Volleyball Championship title to Barbados when it was first played here and the following year they went to Barbados and avenged the defeat by winning the title.

#Flowers, a businessman who served as a long-time executive and player of the Bahamas Golf Federation, commended Minister Mario Bowleg and his team at the ministry for the initiative to stage a month of celebrations as a part of the country’s 50th Jubilee.

#“Whatever they give you, you have to accept it because it gives you the opportunity to be recognised and brought to the forefront, those of us who would have made our contribution to sports,” Flowers pointed out.

#As for himself, Flowers said he doesn’t do what he does to be recognised.

#“I do have a profound respect for those persons who made the choice in selecting me,” he said. “The things I’ve done are not to be given back. For whatever reason people think that is so, but that is where I beg to differ. I did nothing to receive anything in return. “But in light of the fact that we are being recognised, I’m honoured and I am pleased that the ministry is recognising me and I would be the first to be on the water tower and tell them how pleased I am to receive the recognition.”

#Davis, who served as a long-time executive of the Bahamas Olympic Committee while making his contribution as an executive and referee in the Bahamas Basketball Federation, said he’s also honoured to be recognised.

#“To be able to get an award along with the people who are being honoured, I feel it’s a great thing,” Davis stated.

#“It is an honour but, on the other hand, I am very humbled to receive the recognition.

#“I’ve made my contribution but what I did, I did it for the love of sports. I never really went out there to do anything to achieve anything in return. I just wanted to do my part to help to make the Bahamas the number one sporting nation in the world. I think I’ve done that.”

#Over the years, Sealey would have served as a soccer player, coach and executive in the Bahamas Football Association. The immediate past president of the BFA said he’s now elated to receive the highest sporting honour in the country, which is to be inducted into the National Hall of Fame.

#“This culminates a long career for me in sports and so it’s humbling and indeed I am honoured to be a part of the Class of 2023,” Sealey pointed out.

#“I am just thrilled to be considered in this class of honourees.

#“I think it’s an exceptional class, to be honest with you. I’m happy to be going in with this class that includes Craig Flowers, a noted golfer, Larry Davis from the Olympic movement and Fernley Palmer, my goodness. It’s a very good and impressive class and I’m very proud to be a part of it.”

#And John Johnson started playing organised basketball at the age of 18 out of Mason’s Addition in 1964. He remembered playing against teams from the east to the west and from the north to the south. “I’m elated. I’m happy that they are finally honouring me. It’s better late than never,” Johnson told The Tribune.