Western Bureau:
The sound of a Cuban concerto, the taste of pink salmon and the fizzle of champagne were a precursor to the classy evening that awaited guests at the cocktail reception put on by the SuperClubs Ironshore Golf Club, Montego Bay on Saturday night.
Montegonians were given a ‘thank you’ treat by the hotel chain which leased the 18-hole championship golf course little over one year ago from developers Joe and Angelina Whitter. SuperClubs now operates two of the 12 courses the island boasts.
Executive vice-president of SuperClubs, Joe Issa, expressed gratitude to the Montego Bay community and members of the golf club for their support in putting up with the renovation exercise over the past 14 months. “Though we are still in the sowing stage, we foresee a lot of growth in the future. Without the support of our members and the Montego Bay community we would not have made it to this stage,” he said.
The Ironshore Golf Club, which is probably the most popular course used by locals, has been refurbished. For an undisclosed sum, the clubhouse has been renovated with a new pro shop, baggage and cart houses.
In addition, 40 new golf carts have been bought and old maintenance equipment replaced with new ones. The property now boasts a large banquet area capable of accommodating between 150 and 200 persons comfortably.
“We have redone the greens, refurbished the irrigation system, built three ponds and can accommodate guests in the two and one-bedroom furnished apartments, that give a spectacular view of the golf course and the ocean,” said Gary Williams, vice-president of operations, SuperClubs.
Jamaica Golfing Association president Arthur Ziadie travelled 120 miles from Kingston top show his organization’s commitment to making Jamaica the golfing destination of the Caribbean. Montego Bay attorneys-at-law George Thomas, Clayton Morgan; businessmen Arden Griffiths, Robert Russell and politician Edmund Bartlett spent most of the night talking politics.
“The joint venture between the Whitters and SuperClub which has seen the refurbishing exercise has brought to five the number of world class courses on the elegant corridor of Montego Bay,” said Mr. Bartlett, JLP’s spokesman on tourism.
Golfers Phyllis Jones, Denny Chandiram, Jimmy Wright, along with Craig Martin, Sue McManus, Sam James, Norma Foreman, Peter Massey, Dr. Marco Brown and Hans Schenk were just a few of the persons who came out to support the golf club manager, Suzette Smith-Burgess and her team.
Picture caption: Pat Samuels (left), general manager, regional offices, Jamaica Tourist Board, chats with Joe Issa (centre) SuperClubs vice-president and Arthur Ziadie, president of the Golfing Association of Jamaica.
Source: The Gleaner
