RED Stripe will host its inaugural staging of the Johnnie Walker Learning for Life Golf Classic at the Tryall Golf Club in Montego Bay on July 18-20.

Cedric Blair, managing director of Red Stripe, said that the Johnnie Walker Charity Classic is aimed at raising funds for their Learning for Life Programme, which is designed to inspire and transform the lives of people throughout the different communities in which DIAGEO conducts business.

“We have invested in skills training for individuals 18-30 years old…Jamaicans who have sort of dropped through the formal education system, and our intent is to really give them a meaningful job that they can be working in and we intend to make this charity classic an annual event,” said Blair while speaking at the Jamaica Observer’s Monday Exchange at the tabloid’s Beechwood Avenue offices yesterday.

The programme, which focuses on adult education, is implemented in partnership with local educational, governmental and training organisations.

Nasha Douglas, who is the brand manager of Heineken, explained that they chose that specific weekend because they want the charity classic to be aligned with Jamaica’s largest concert festival, Reggae Sumfest.

“We chose Sumfest weekend because we are down at Tryall so patrons can come out and play or watch golf in the day and enjoy the festival in the night.

“We have three days of activities, so it is not just a golf event, but it is also a liming vibe so patrons can come out with their spouses, and whether you are a golf aficionado or not, just come out and enjoy a luxurious weekend courtesy of Johnnie Walker,” she said.

The entry fee will be $20,000, which includes a raffle ticket to enter one of three coveted Ryder Cup packages valued at $2 million to Scotland in September.

Consumers who purchase a Johnnie Walker Blue, Gold Reserve and Johnnie Walker Platinum throughout corporate sales initiatives across the month of May and June will be entitled to a raffle ticket.

“Honestly, it’s golf aficionados, it’s corporate Jamaica, we really want everybody who is interested in bettering Jamaica to come out and support it. The sponsorship packages are not about the cash that you give us to fund the tournament, it is about the cash that you give us to fund a student,” Douglas lamented.

Corporate partners can sponsor students by choosing one of the following packages:

Johnnie Blue Sponsor $1,000,000

— ENTITLEMENTS

* 4 entries to tournament

* Welcome reception, on course and gala awards branding

* Sponsorship mention in all pre and post media releases

* An entire branded hole (tee to green)

* Sponsorship of 100 students

Johnnie Platinum Sponsor $500,000

— ENTITLEMENTS

* 2 entries to tournament

* Welcome reception, on course and gala awards branding

* Sponsorship mention in all pre and post media releases

* Branded tee or green

* Sponsorship of 50 students

Johnnie Gold Reserve Sponsor $250,000

— Entitlements

* 1 entry to tournament

* Sponsorship mention in all pre and post media releases

* Branded tee

* Sponsorship of 25 students