Couples tourney nets $800,000 for Haiti

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

THE Haiti relief fund is expected to be boosted by approximately $800,000, thanks to the efforts of the 62 golfers at the 9th Annual Couples Ocho Rios charity tournament at the Sandals Golf Club Sunday.

The charity tournament raised about $1.2 million, but coming on the heels of last week's devastating earthquake in Haiti, the organisers decided to donate a third of the sum raised (approximately $400,000) to the Haiti relief fund, while the two hotels -- Couples Ocho Rios

and Couples Sans Souci -- have offered to match that amount.

Other charities benefiting from the tournament are the Port Maria Hospital, the Three Hills Primary School, the Mount Hamilton Basic School and Animal House, all from the neighbouring parishes of St Ann and St Mary.

The tournament has raised close to $10 million for local charities over the years.

Couples Ocho Rios and Couples Sans Souci recently celebrated their 32nd and fourth anniversaries, respectively, with the highlight of the celebrations being the charity tournament.

The event was the brainchild of multiple repeat guests of the hotel, Gene and Jane Saks and Alan and Josie Kline, who wanted to find a way to

'give back' to the country and people they care so much about.

Meanwhile, Glenn Lawrence, CEO of Couples Resorts, was elated with the effort this year. "We are extremely pleased, considering that technically we're still in a recession, so for people to come

out and give a little extra, we can only be pleased for the effort everybody has put in," Lawrence told the Observer.

First prize in the Open Division went to Greg Wright and Warren Cersley, who won a three-night stay at a Couples Resort, while second went to Cary Nattoo and Robert Smith, who won

two-night stays at a Couples Resort.

Other prizes were given for the Putting Contest, won by Clive Allen, Wayne Sutherland and Chuck Salayi; Closest to the Line (Male & Female), won by Sean Morris and Michelle Gabay, and Closest to the Pin (Male and Female), won by Cary Nattoo and Marnie Savic.

The sponsors included Caribbean Producers, Digicel, Advantage General Insurance, Fraser Fontaine & Kong, Globe Insurance, ICWI, NEM, West Indies Alliance, Dolphin Cove, Lyric Villa, Tifosi Eyewear and Caribbean Outdoor.