Governor General "putts off" Curaçao Red Cross Golf Tournament

The Governor General of the Netherlands Antilles and patron of the National Society, Mr Frits Goedgedrag, made the first putt to officially open the Third Annual Curaçao Red Cross Golf Tournament.

The annual fundraiser was played off on May 21 at the Curaçao Golf & Squash Club in Emmastad. Main organizer was Ashley Duits, Curaçao Red Cross board member, and director of the Red Cross Blood Bank Foundation.

There were more participants this year as compared to 2004 with a total of 74 male and female golfers vying for one of the attractive prizes donated by sponsors.

First prize in the male category was the Red Cross golf "Red Jacket" and a KLM ticket to Amsterdam. The female winner also received the Red Jacket and a ticket to Miami. No one claimed the special "hole-in-one" prize, a brand-new 2005 Cherokee SUV jeep.

The Curaçao Red Cross took the opportunity to raise awareness of its ongoing activities by organizing an information booth during the tournament.

After the tournament was completed, participants stayed behind to fraternize over drinks and barbeque, and listen to the music of Red Cross volunteer "Thomasita" who is a deejay in his spare time.

With the increase in participation, organizers are discussing the possibility of running the tournament for two days next year. A total of US$12,350 was collected this year, slightly more than in 2004.

Some major donors did not participate due to the great amount of money given for the Red Cross' tsunami relief efforts but organizers hope next year regular donors will return to ensure the work of the Red Cross continues in Curaçao.