$.4m in AmCham/Citigroup golf

PRIZES totalling more than $400,000 including an Audi A4 motor car are at stake in the American Chamber of Commerce 11th annual Citigroup Linkage Golf tournament on October 12. Yesterday, at a media conference hosted in the AmCham Secretariat at the Hilton Trinidad in Port-of-Spain, AmCham president David Chaney announced the partnership with Citigroup, a rebranding of the recent merger between Citicorp and the Travellers Group, to major players in  international finance. Part proceeds of the tournament, to be staged at the St Andrew’s Golf Club course in Moka, Maraval will once again go towards the development programme of the national junior golf team.

Among those attending the function yesterday were Mark Carmino, vice-president HR and Public Affairs, Citibank (TT) Limited; Michael Guyadeen, Treasurer, Citibank (TT) Limited; Paul Pantin, director PO Box International/Ezone chairman, Am-Cham’s Programmes and Events Committee; and Patricia Ghany a director of Esau Oilfields Supplies. Pantin said the aim is to attract 50 corporate teams in a better-ball contest over 18 holes for attractive prizes and hampers of champagne, cigars, and DeWalt power tools. The prizes have been contributed by AmCham’s 275 members. The Audi A4 motor car for the lucky golfer scoring a hole-in-one will be provided by Automobile Sales Limited. On behalf of Citigroup, Carmino said the commitment of the new brand remains the same as 11 years ago when Citibank was established as a founding member of the AmCham golf effort. “Citigroup is committed to corporate citizenship in every country where it operates to making a difference where employees work and live. Support is given to all areas which enrich lives, preserve communities and promote economic stability. Our organisation has invested millions of dollars over the years here in Trinidad and Tobago in people, community and country,” said Carmino.

He traced the company’s involvement in the competition since 1993 when Citibank became a platinium sponsor and to date have allocated a total of $425,000 to the effort. “It is clearly visible from the chamber’s valuable business contributions that we have invested very well,” said Carmino. He said the success of the tournament is owed to AmCham’s professional organising team, all sponsors, participants, supporters and the media. Defending champions are the father and son team of Hafiz and Hafeez Ali representing Sesame Foods Limited of Freeport who are expected to participate again this year. Special mention was made by AmCham president Chaney of Bridgette Andrews, a knowledgeable golf personality who is assisting AmCham in organising the tournament. Andrews said an exciting event is in the making and assured that the greens at Moka is in impeccable condition. Also attending the launch yesterday were Wendy Soulett of the US Embassy; Clyde Alleyne, Managing-director of IBM (TT) Limited; Nicole Galt, a director of Trinidad Systems Limited; Alison Niles of Docu Centre; Christian Aanensen of Aanensen and Company; Blair Ferguson of the Kenson Group of Companies; Lisa Chamely-Aqui, executive-director of AmCham; and Juliet Gomez, AmCham’s Committee and Projects Officer.