THE 2010 Alliance Buccaneer Memorial two-day golf tournament will tee off on Saturday at the Caymanas Golf Club and is expected to attract at least 140 golfers.

The Alliance Investment Management Limited-sponsored event is in its third year and serves a fundraiser for the Laws Street Trade Training Centre.

Last year, it raised $600,000 for the Training Centre, located in Downtown Kingston, and has raised in excess of $4.6 million in donations for its adopted charity over the years. This year’s entry fee is $6,000 and $3,000 for the Memorial.

The Buccaneer Memorial tourney is in its 15th year and is being played in memory of five of Jamaica’s outstanding past national representatives — Milton “Budd” Josephs, Izette Rhone, Lenan “Lennie” Chin, John Fulford and Al Chong.

Young Vittoria Marley, who passed away earlier this year, will have a memorial trophy named in her honour, to be contested by the Junior players.

Peter Chin, president of Alliance Investment, said his company is extremely pleased to be behind the sponsorship of this golf tournament once again.

“We’re very happy to be associated with one of the biggest golfing events on the calendar in Jamaica. This tournament attracts all the top golfers. It’s no secret that a significant amount of our clients are golfers,” said Chin.

Gloria Pusey of the Laws Street Trade Training Centre said her organisation is like an “oasis in a desert”.

“Your contribution to Laws Street is of tremendous value. Thanks to Alliance for the tremendous help you’ve given us over the years,” said Pusey.

The Laws Street facility provides programmes in home economics, sewing, craft, computer and music. It also caters to the elderly with meals and gift packages throughout the year.

Meanwhile, two-time defending men’s champion Fabian Campbell will be the man to beat in an impressive line-up which includes the likes of Rory Jardine, Jonathan Newnham, Paul Thompson, Radcliffe Knibbs, Xavier Rose and Tommy Lee.

The Super Seniors will be contested by Dennis Atkinson, Freddie Sutherland, Gordon Hutchinson, Hamar Dayes and Maurice Foster.

In the senior section, former Caribbean number one John Smith heads a field that includes Wayne Chai Chong, Robert Chin, Peter Chin and Jeffrey Dujon.

Wayne Chai Chong, president of the Jamaica Golf Association (JGA), said the two-day event is one of the tournaments that will improve the competitiveness of the national teams.

“We need more tournaments where players are challenged to maintain their physical and mental toughness for longer periods,” said Chai Chong.

“Right now, our sport is very fragmented; our clubs struggle to maintain membership, and there are a myriad of organisations putting on tournaments and doing their own thing with no thought to the development or vibrancy of the sport, although they use it as the medium to raise their funds,” he noted.

“If we’re going to grow golf in Jamaica, then we must find a way to ensure that a significant amount of funds raised through golf goes back to our clubs and into development,” Chai Chong added.