Norton denies endorsement of new golf course

Just weeks ago, at launching of the 2018 edition of the Guyana Cup Open Golf Tournament, a grand announcement was made by Minister of Social Cohesion with responsibility for Sport, Dr George Norton, that Guyana will soon be home to a new 18-hole golf course.
That course will join scores of other courses that are being constructed around the world by the renowned Jack Nicklaus Group.
As a golfer, Jack Nicklaus has a reputation that is legendary. Known as “The Golden Bear”, Nicklaus is regarded by many as the greatest golfer of all time, and most especially his era. With a career that spanned more than 25 years after teeing off in the 1960s, the American has recorded 18 major championships while producing 19 second-place and 9 third-place finishes.
After Minister Norton had relayed this exciting news to media operatives, President of the Lusignan Golf Club, Aleem Hussain, had added, “And this (the golf course) is the only one of its kind, and it will be built here in Guyana with the help of Minister Norton and members of the Government.”
However, weeks after the fact, Minister Dr George Norton has come out saying the venture has not been endorsed by the Government. Talk of the course has been in many conversations after contracts were officially signed last Thursday by Hussain and representative of the Jack Nicklaus Group, Rodney Carl. The 18-hole course will not only attract tourists to Guyana, but will also boast a thriving community, inclusive of schools, housing, hospitals; and even sporting facilities for swimming, cycling and tennis.
The Ogle and LBI environs have been identified for the course. The deal sounds like a great one; but, according to Minister Norton, it is yet to receive Government’s blessing.
“I must correct you. I did not endorse, I made an announcement. And no Minister did endorse that,” Dr Norton stated when probed about the course.
At the announcement of the 18-hole course, the Lusignan Golf Club President had said, “And this is the only one of its kind; and it will be built here in Guyana with the help of Minister Norton and the members of the Government.”
Now the Minister is firm in his assertion that no member of the Government has sanctioned the project.
“After then, I don’t think there was any other commitment by the Government with regard to that project,” the Minister has followed up.
Dr Norton explained that it is all in good faith. However, such a large project has attracted the attention of the Government.
“We certainly are concerned, because we are talking about 500 acres of prime real estate with $100 million US dollars to be raised to do a project that involves schools, houses, health facilities that the Government know nothing about,” the Social Cohesion Minister stated.
Despite Government’s demurring, the 18-hole golf course project has received the blessing of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana, as the facilities are expected to attract scores of tourists to Guyana.