$1m boost – Westmoreland institutions benefit from charity golf tournament
NEGRIL, Westmoreland — Two institutions in Westmoreland, the Clifton Boys Home in Darliston and Mt Airy Basic School will benefit from the $1 million that was raised at Sunday’s 5th Couples Resorts Annual Negril Charity Golf tournament held at the Negril Hills golf club.
The money which was raised from the tournament, as well as donations from several auctions and raffles. Both institutions have been “adopted” by the hotel chain for the last five years.
Glen Lawrence, CEO of Couples Resorts who teamed up with John Brennan to win the two-man best ball tournament said since the start of the venture funds raised from the tournaments has helped to refurbish the kitchen at the boys home, purchase new computers, hosted a fund day for their 50th anniversary, while play ground equipment was provided for the Mt Airy School.
Lawrence explained to the Observer West that the concept for the event started in Ocho Rios years ago, when some repeat guests approached the hotel with the idea for the charity tournament aimed at helping the less fortunate.
“Years later we decided to replicate it by taking it to Negril to support the Westmoreland Charities and we selected two worthy ones, the Mt Airy Basic School and Clifton Boys Home and we have practically adopted them,” Lawrence said.
“The golf tournament focuses our attention at this time and we get quite a bit of help from our many sponsors,” he said, adding that “the golfers all play in good spirits, but it is all about giving back and 100 per cent of the monies raised go right back to the charities.”
Orlando Bygrave, a resident of the Clifton Boys Home thanked the organisers for their gifts on behalf of the recipients pointing out that it would go a far way in helping them.
Meanwhile, Lawrence and Brennan carded net score of 63 to win the event that started in heavily overcast skies and a steady drizzle but ended in brilliant sunshine.
Randy Russell and Stainton Baker were a shot back and both pairs donated their prizes of nights at Couples Resorts to be auctioned and included in the proceeds of the day.
