THE cream of Jamaican golfers will hunt major prizes during the inaugural two-day Panasonic Golf Classic, which tees off November 20 at the Sandals Gold and Country Club in St Ann.

The tournament, organised by Sandals Foundation, will be a 36-hole medal play, with competitions in four categories: Men’s Open, Men’s Seniors, Men’s Super Seniors and Ladies Open, and is under the auspices of the Jamaica Golf Association, it was revealed during last Friday’s press conference at the tournament venue.

The charity event, which will also feature a Gala Charity Auction, will have proceeds going towards two Sandals Foundation community projects in the Ocho Rios region — the building of the Seville Golden Pre School in Priory, and the Sandals Golf Academy for youth.

The glittering live and silent auction will be held at Sandals Grande Ocho Rios on Saturday, November 20, and will include cocktails and dinner.

Action will get underway at 7:00 am daily with a number of attractive prizes up for grabs.

Adam Stewart, CEO of Sandals Resorts International, is happy for the partnership with Panasonic and is eagerly awaiting the benefits to the youth.

“This is a great example of two great companies joining forces to put on something special,” he said.

He added: “We’ve a long and fruitful relationship with Panasonic and this coming together has created a real buzz about the place.

“That an organisation with the stature and reputation of Panasonic is joining us for this event speaks volumes about the kind of company they are. A true partner in every sense of the word.

“The Panasonic Golf Classic provides a top spectacle for golf lovers, but it will also leave a lasting impact for our nation’s youth. In addition, engaging youngsters in sporting activities such as golf through the Sandals Foundation helps them to realise their talent and offer opportunities and inspiration that may otherwise not exist,” he said.

Launched in March 2009, the Sandals Foundation seeks to help fulfil the promise of the Caribbean community through investment in sustainable projects in education, environment and community which improve people’s lives and preserve the natural surroundings.

It is the philanthropic arm of Sandals Resorts International and the culmination of three decades of dedication to playing a meaningful role in the lives of the communities where the group operates across the Caribbean.

Heidi Clarke, Sandals Foundation’s director of programmes, is “heartened by the level of sponsorship” the group has been receiving for the tournament and charity auction, and is “sure that it will be a success”.

“Sports and education are two areas on which we place great emphasis and the funding will help to improve the lives of many of the young people we work with,” she said.

Meanwhile, Brian Roper, general manager of Sandals Grande Ocho Rios, who is also chairman of the organising committee, is very excited to be part of the event. “The golf course is in great condition and we are working assiduously to ensure that participants will have a competitive and fun event,” he said.

“Players will be allowed to get in a practise round on the day before the tournament and on that day we will also be staging a junior tournament to give the youngsters a chance to showcase their skills,” Roper added.

Two years ago, as part of a programme designed to give young boys and girls from the neighbouring community the chance to expand their opportunities in life through sports and education, the Sandals Foundation launched its Junior Golf Academy.

Today, the programme has reaped rich dividends with three members and Ocho Rios teens – Dwight Moulton, Austin Swaby and Zandra Roye – gaining selection on the national team, representing Jamaica at the prestigious 2010 Caribbean Amateur Junior Golf Championships in The Bahamas.

Apart from Panasonic, the other sponsors are ATL Autohaus, Chukka Caribbean Adventure Tours, Wisynco, Mystic Mountain, Rain Forest Sea Foods, Lime, Caribbean Producers Limited, Marksman Limited, Stocks And Securities Limited, Omega Medical and the Jamaica Observer Limited.

Stephen Chang, managing director of Appliance Traders Limited (ATL) observed that ATL and Panasonic have partnered successfully for over 35 years in the air conditioning and consumer electronics fields in Jamaica. “When ATL approached Panasonic to sponsor this golf tournament they immediately said yes, particularly for such worthy causes that the Sandals Foundation supports.

As ATL and Panasonic move into the eco friendly arena or products, it is only fitting that the Sandals Foundation be a recipient of sponsorship as preserving and nurturing the environment is one of their main tenets,” he said.