The prestigious 23rd annual Baxter Travel Golf Tournament will tee today at the Sandals Golf and Country Club with over 90 influential Canadian travel agents and tour operators taking part.

The two-day tournament, the third major international travel agent golfing event to be staged at the venue in a month, is expected to deliver a shot in the arm for Jamaica as a golfing destination and also the nation’s tourism industry, as the agents and tour operators will be heavily promoting the island.

The United States and Latin American travel agents completed their events recently and both were very successful, according to organisers.

“Jamaica stands to benefit significantly from hosting these influential travel agents,” said Maureen Barnes-Smith, director of sales & marketing, Unique Vacations Canada, the Canadian sales and marketing arm of Sandals Resorts International.

“Not only will they be here as part of the Sandals tournament, but they will tour the island, experience what Jamaica has to offer and when they go back, promote and sell Jamaica,” she added.

Barnes-Smith pointed to the significance of the Canadian market which has experienced growth in the past several years and is of vital importance to the island.

Event organisers were pleased with the large number of entries to the Baxter Event and since its inception, each year has always been well attended.

Eighteen four-man teams will tee off in the scramble format. For the opening day, the 18-hole event will be spiced up with the ‘Longest drive’ and ‘Closest to the pin’ contests. Tee off is slated for 8:30 am on the second and final day, while the awards ceremony at the Sandals Ochi Beach Resort kicks off at 6:30 pm with cocktails, to be followed an hour later by dinner.

“Traditionally, we have always had some fun and also riveting action on the golf course and this year promises to be no less impressive,” noted Miguel Arthurs, general manager of Sandals Golf & Country Club.