Hugo Coulombe (left) CFO, Air Canada Vacations share a photo opportunity with members of the winning team Colin Harris and Cargill Gordon.
contributed
Gary Sadler’s heart beats for two nations—Jamaica, the island of his birth, and Canada, the country where he built his career. As a key figure in the tourism industry, Sadler has long been an ambassador for Jamaica, championing the island’s beauty and culture to the world, and his enthusiasm was once again on full display at the end of the Canadian Travel Advisors Golf tournament.
Sadler, the Executive Vice President of Sales and Industry Relations at Unique Vacations underscored that the two-day tournament, which brought advisors to Jamaica for an immersive experience, was about more than just competition—it was about connection, as he encouraged travel advisors to seize every moment to not just play, but to truly experience Jamaica and sell that experience back home.
“I migrated from Jamaica in 1992, and the eggs of my hopes as a young man was sent to Toronto, and Toronto being the welcoming city that it is, I felt quite at home. I then moved to Western Canada where I spent five of my best years living in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba. So western Canada is dearest to my heart. Why is because they told us in those days that you couldn't really sell Jamaica because Jamaica was two days away in the Caribbean,” Sadler shared.
“So, I am quite excited to see travel advisors from Vancouver coming to the golf tournament. When we started this golf tournament eight years ago, everybody came from Toronto, and very few came from Montreal, because everybody would just want that direct flight. So now that we have people from all across Canada, it is actually very welcoming,” he added.
Gary Sadler addressing Travel Advisors during the award ceremony.
Sadler, who has spent years fostering relationships between Jamaica’s tourism sector and the Canadian market, emphasized the significance of the travel advisors' role. He sees them as vital connectors, helping to bridge the gap between potential tourists and the authentic experiences that Jamaica offers.
“This tournament is about more than just a few rounds of golf. It is about experiencing the island in a way that gives you, the travel advisors, a true sense of what Jamaica has to offer. And when you’ve experienced it firsthand, you’re able to share it with your clients in a way that’s real, that’s authentic,” Sadler noted.
He continued: “I want to acknowledge Air Canada vacations, and I hope you are reminded that there is now no connection fees for flights from Western Canada to Jamaica only at a Sandals and Beaches resort. Forgive my passion, and it's certainly not meant as an insult, but what the free connector really means is that those of you from Western Canada, have absolutely no excuse in the world why you cannot sell from Western Canada to Jamaica and to the Caribbean.
“There is now no reason in the world why you can't do so. So I appeal to you to ensure that your business is not limited to the fact that Western Canada is far away, because WestJet also has direct flights out of Calgary to Nassau, and Calgary to Jamaica as well. So Canada's largest carriers fly to the Caribbean. The airlines have fixed the issue, show them it's worth it.”
The tournament, which allowed participants to unwind while also deepening their understanding of the island’s unique offerings, was won by Team 12, comprising Arnold Bridgemohan, Janet Long, Cargill Gordon and Colin Harris. That quartet tallied 59 and 67 strokes across both days for a winning total of 126.
Canadian professional golfer and celebrity entertainer Todd Keirstead demonstrates his trick shots.
They were two shots ahead of dethroned champions Team 10 –Wendy Hsu, Leo Tam, Tom Liu, and Chris Gregoris –who shot 128. Team 4 of Doug Rollheiser, Jason Jenkins, Dave Harris and Jaques Gilbert were third with 130 strokes.
Meanwhile, Cargill Gordon and Sandra Edwards won the men and women longest drive awards, while Jay Ainabe and Wendy Hsu took the closest to the pin awards.
Over US$600 and CAD$120 (about $109,000 Jamaica dollars) was also raised for the Sandals Foundation.
For Sadler, his final words were a call to action for the travel advisors.
“Let’s keep sharing Jamaica with the world, one client at a time. I thank you for the commitment, not just to this golf tournament, because it doesn't end here. It begins here, but ends with a commitment that you continue to drive and support this travel industry, not just limited to Canada, but globally, where travel advisors can feel that they're part of a bigger picture partnership. Thank you wholeheartedly for your belief in the Sandals organisation because we simply want your business,” he ended.
A major tournament to pit the winners of the LatAm, Canadian, and US Travel Advisors tournaments against each other is scheduled for next year in St Lucia.
Sherdon Cowan is a five-time award-winning journalist with 10 years' experience covering sports.
Samuda and Munn-Barrow triumph at AMG Buccaneer Memorial Golf Tournament
Owen Samuda and Jodi Munn-Barrow emerged as champions of the AMG Buccaneer Memorial Golf Tournament, held at the Caymanas Golf Club in St. Catherine over the weekend. The annual event, one of Jamaica’s most prestigious golf tournaments, saw over 80 golfers competing despite challenges posed by recent weather conditions.
Samuda, who has been enjoying a stellar run of form, dominated the male category with back-to-back rounds of one-under-par 71, finishing with an impressive two-under-par 142. He won by a commanding 13-stroke margin, cementing his reputation as one of the country’s top golfers.
Reflecting on his victory, Samuda shared, “After the disappointment in the Jamaica Open last week, I realized that you can’t drive a car while looking behind you. I came into this tournament with a lot of confidence and positive thoughts. I played really well yesterday, and even better today, so I feel great about the win.”
Samuda’s performance marked the only under-par scores across the tournament. Former national champion Oshae Haye finished second with an 11-over-par 155, while Zandre Roye and Sean Morris tied for third at 14-over-par 158.
In the female category, Jamaica Golf Association President Jodi Munn-Barrow delivered her trademark consistency to claim the Ladies 0-6 title. Munn-Barrow posted scores of 75 on both days, totaling six-over-par 150 to secure her win by a comfortable 21 strokes over Michele McCreath, who finished at 171.
“It was a little more difficult this time,” Munn-Barrow admitted. “I haven’t been playing much because of my involvement with the Jamaica Open, so my game this weekend was scrappy. But I managed to get the ball around, and I’m happy with how I performed despite not being at my best.”
The tournament also featured numerous category winners, including Quentin Hugh-Sam and Philip Gooden, who scored 168 to win the Men & Men Senior 7-12 section. Other winners included Gifford Wilmott (Men & Men Senior 13-24) with a score of 157, and Diane Hudson, who topped the Ladies 13 and over category with a score of 184.
The event, held for the 29th year, is a tribute to seven of Jamaica’s past national golf representatives: Milton "Buddy" Josephs, Izette Rhone, Lenan "Lennie" Chin, John Fulford, Al Chong, Claude Stewart, and Mark Chin. Proceeds from the tournament benefit the Lawes Street Trade Training Centre, with the goal of raising JMD$1 million annually.
Peter Chin, president of the Buccaneers Golf Club, praised the event’s resilience despite weather challenges. “This tournament has been running since the 1990s and is the oldest golf tournament outside of the Jamaica Open on the JGA calendar. The course was in great condition considering the rain over the past few weeks,” Chin said.
The AMG Buccaneer Memorial Golf Tournament was sponsored by AMG Packaging, with Scientific & Medical Supplies as an associate sponsor.
McIlroy honoured to be 'mentioned in same breath' as Ballesteros after matching Race to Dubai tally
Rory McIlroy says he is honoured to be "mentioned in the same breath" as Seve Ballesteros, after matching the Spaniard's haul of six Race to Dubai titles.
McIlroy secured the title for the third year running following his victory at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai on Sunday.
The four-time major winner finished two shots clear of Denmark's Rasmus Hojgaard to seal his third triumph in the event.
"Everyone knows what Seve means to European golf and Ryder Cup players," an emotional McIlroy told Sky Sports.
"The European Ryder Cup locker room, all we have are quotes from Seve. We had a changing room with Seve's shirt from [1995], the last Ryder Cup he played.
"He means so much to European golf and for me to be mentioned in the same breath, I'm very proud."
"I've been through a lot this year, professionally, personally, and it feels like the fitting end to 2024," added McIlroy, who narrowly lost out on the US Open title to Bryson DeChambeau.
"I've persevered this year a lot, had close calls, wasn't able to get it done. I'm really pleased with the way I finished and, thankfully, I hung on after a tough day and got the job done."
McIlroy seals sixth Race to Dubai title with DP World Tour Championship triumph
Rory McIlroy secured his sixth Race to Dubai title with victory at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.
McIlroy finished at 15 under par and two shots clear of Rasmus Hojgaard, who he partnered during the final round, to seal glory at Jumeirah Golf Estates.
The four-time major winner claimed his record-equalling third triumph in this event, matching Jon Rahm.
It is also his third successive Race to Dubai victory - and sixth overall to move level with Seve Ballesteros.
McIlroy was tied for the lead heading into the final day, and a run of four successive birdies gave him a three-shot advantage early on.
However, he hit bogeys on the ninth and 13th holes, allowing Hojgaard to draw level heading into the final four.
Nevertheless, McIlroy dug deep with a brilliant approach leading to a birdie on the 16th, which put him back in front.
And while Hojgaard could only par the final hole after narrowly missing a birdie putt, the Northern Irishman held his nerve with another birdie to seal his seventh tournament win in Dubai.
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