LGC aiming to convert golf course into world championship status

By Timothy Jaikarran

The Lusignan Golf Club has continued with its main goal of raising the awareness of the game of golf in the community of Lusignan and around Guyana. Apart from that, the club has also set out to achieve certain goals in 2022, one by which they have exceeded expectations.

According to LGC Vice President Paton George, the number one goal of the LGC is to covert the course into an 18-hole, or possibly even bigger course.
In an exclusive interview with Guyana Times Sport, George gave his insight on some of the goals the club has achieved, and revealed some major plans for the near future. “Speaking of the goals for the club as an organisation, one of the goals is to be an accountable organisation. We want to be accountable to the members; balance our books, which we have done; and to grow the game of golf. I think so far we have continued to build from the positive results of 2021, and that has continued throughout the months. In 2022, we are having regular tournaments, which is one of the driving forces behind the growth of the club,” George posited.

The LGC VP also related that the club has been seeing a growth in its membership and in the number of sponsors, and while that is important, he is extremely proud that the LGC has achieved one of its major goals, which is the introduction of the game to young golfers, as seen over the Easter weekend.
George also noted that one of the major plans on the club’s agenda is attaining a world championship golf course, as it is his belief that a major golf course is needed in every country, because of the expansion of the sport, not only in the world, but in Guyana as well.
“We have to move forward with the trend. Our course was adequate in the past decades when golf was not as major as it is now. So, with the growth of golf, we must grow the club. We have to convert our course to an 18-hole championship golf course, possibly a 27-hole golf course, as we are still the only golf course in the country.
“There are many golfers that would not be satisfied, as even though we have a golf course, we need a bigger one in Guyana, which is our number one goal” he explained.
George also made mention of the club raising awareness of the sport. He explained that while the club has commenced the process, it has not yet achieved that desired result.
He explained that the club will now have to sustain the step taken and get people to play golf in Guyana. He said one does not need to be at the course, but if they have access to an open field, they can hit balls and get adequate practice, resulting in them visiting the course once per week and still become relatively proficient.
The LGC VP has said the club would like to see Guyana competing on the international level one day, and while this is not now the case, the dream of it becoming a reality is not far away.
George closed by saying, “We have enough interest where I can see, in the next 10 to 15 years, Guyana, and more so Guyanese golfers, being considered as serious golfers on the international stage.”