courtesy of: The Morning News
by: Rosalie Klein
Organizers of the annual Aruba International Pro-Am Golf Tournament announced that pros and players from around the world will be arriving in the next few days, to be officially welcomed to the Tierra Del Sol Country Club and Golf Course for the 18th edition of this exciting event.
Amayra Boekhoudt, representing the Aruba Tourism Authority and Adam Williamson, head golf pro for TDS, proudly displayed the trophy plates and first place cup that players will win this year; each tournament sports a uniquely designed trophy.
This year they expect 30 four-man teams of amateurs to compete, each one captained and mentored by a notable golf pro. Competitors from ten nations will be taking to the fairways on Saturday morning, August 25, at 7:00 AM, then again at 2:00 PM. Amateurs will play a four-man scramble and the pros will play their own ball.
“This year we have expanded the extracurricular activities to truly showcase Aruba’s many attractions,” commented Adam. “Visiting players bring their families and there will be a lot of things for them to do beyond the golf course.”
International media is also expected, providing coverage from popular golfing magazines from the U.S., Europe and Latin America. Representatives from major local sponsors Balashi, De Palm Tours, Maggy’s Emporium and EZ-Go, were present for the announcement of the upcoming event.
Pros and teams will be arriving from the U.S., Puerto Rico, Bermuda, the Domincan Republic, Curacao, Venezuela, Brazil, and Bolivia for the opening night event on Friday the 24th, with spouses. This year, four teams will represent Aruba, one of them headed by Adam Williamson, who has been a first place winner during the tournament on at least two occasions.
The golf course will be closed to public play during the three days of the tournament, but spectators are welcome to watch the international coterie of players in action on the greens. The final award dinner will take place on Sunday evening, August 26. At that time, they will observe the annual traditions of handing over a check to some worthy foundation, comprised of donations collected over the weekend. This year’s recipient of the Aruba International Pro-Am Golf Tournament will be Clown Doctors Aruba, which has clown troupes visit children in the hospital to entertain and lift their spirits.
