West Punt — The island’s most popular golf tournament, unfolded on the award winning Robert Trent Jones II course, on Saturday, and concluded with Ruben Goedhoop and Gregory Croeze in the lead, father & son duo Mike and Maurice DeIisle in second place, and Nigel Nedd and Luis Camara, in third.
The annual tournament, organized here for the twelfth year in a row, is a fund raiser supporting community causes. It is offered by Arion Wine Company NV in conjunction with Wente Vineyards from California and Papiamento Restaurant. The tournament signed up 124 players, for a fun two person scramble format.
The funds collected were earmarked for the Fundacion Guia Mi, a foundation offering protection to minors who have suffered from neglect, physical or sexual abuse. Fundacion Guia Mi’s social workers can be appointed by a judge as a family guardian; guiding the child, family members and other people involved, with the goal of solving family problems so that children may continue living with their family of origin.
The shotgun start at 12:30pm was personally overseen by Golf Pro James Kiley and Director of Golf Oliver Riding, supported by Govert van der Hout of Arion Wine Company NV and Eric Wente, Chairman of the Board at Wente Vineyard, who thanked each player their participation.
Having enjoyed an excellent afternoon on the golf course, participants congregated around the pool at the clubhouse at sunset, for some delicious soups and sandwiches provided by the restaurant at Tierra del Sol, paired with Wente Vineyard wines, chased by an award ceremony, prize presentation, and picture opportunities, which concluded the action-packed day.
All prizes were sponsored by Wente Vineyards and included some of the winery’s finest wines, in oversize bottles, as well as a trip to the winery in California for the first place winners to play on the Greg Norman designed golf Course, dine in the famed restaurant and of course tour the production facilities.
The award ceremony also acknowledged the closest to the pin shots including Ron Moser, on #3, Glan Pieters on #7, Randy Arends on #13, Jo-Anne Arends on #15, and #17, and Shirley Barrow, longest drive on #16. An extra prize was awarded to a player who won the wine quiz, showcasing his knowledge of the Wente brand; he was rewarded with a 3 liter bottle of Wente Riva Ranch Chardonnay.
All players expressed their complete satisfaction with the detailed organization of the tournament, and the many special touches; compliments were lavished on Papiamento Restaurant for the creative and inspired sandwiches-to-go served during the day.
“We are doing the tournament again, next year,” declared van der Hout, ”Eric Wente already announced he will be back for the 13th time in a row tournament,” which involved meticulous planning on behalf of the Arion Wine Company team.
Pictured here Eric Wente, Govert van der Hout, James Kiley and Oliver Riding at the award ceremony with the happy winners.
The annual Arion Wine Company, Wente Vineyards & Papiamento Restaurant Golf Tournament was supported by the following local companies: Aruba Airport Authority, Aruba Bank, AIB Bank, Albo Aruba, ASD, Bright Bakery, Complete Logistics, Guardian Group Fatum, Nagico, Oduber & Kan, Plus Accountants, Setar NV, Garage Cordia, Robertson Fire Protection, Aruba Aloe, AWA, Aruba Happy Rentals, Pro-Tec, Tundruk, and Tri-Bike.
