West Punt — The island’s most popular golf tournament, unfolded on the award winning Robert Trent Jones II course, on a recent Saturday, and concluded with Hans Mondria and Jochem Ros in the lead, followed by Eddy Rivera and Gerald Saramiento in second place, and Ray Perez and Sven Schneider in third.
The tournament, organized for the tenth annual time as a fund raiser by Arion Wine Company NV in conjunction with Wente Vineyards from California and Papiamento Restaurant signed up 130 players, for the fun two person scramble format. The funds collected were earmarked for Telefon pa Hubentud a children’s help-line, empowering youngsters with information, choices and emotional support.
The shot gun start at 12:30pm was personally overseen by Golf Pro James Kiley and supported by Govert van der Hout of Arion Wine Company NV and Eric Wente, Chairman of the Board at Wente Vineyard, who shook the hand of each of the players thanking them for their participation.
Having enjoyed an excellent afternoon on the golf course participants congregated at the banquet area of the club house, at sunset, for some delicious food catered by Ventanas del Mar Restaurant, 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 vinery’s finest wines, in oversize bottles, as well as a trip to the vinery 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 Nigel Nedd, on #3, Junior Croes on #7, Gian Pietersz on #15 and Travis Bernadina, on #17. And though the tournament offered a car by Garage Cordia for a hole in one winner, the prize remained unclaimed, and will be offered again next year.
All players expressed their complete satisfaction with the detailed oriented organization of the tournament, and the many special touches; compliments were lavished on Papiamento Restaurant for the creative sandwiches-to-go served during the day.
The Ellis family, says Govert van der Hout is as much as involved in the organization as the Wente and Arion families: “We start planning months ahead, in the Fall, and Eric Wente books his ticket back, immediately after leaving the island, as the tournament became a can’t-do-without, cherished tradition.”
Pictured here Eric Wente, Govert van der Hout and James Kiley at the award ceremony with the winners.
