Golfing veterans Tommy Boodoo and Carlton Singh were in fine form as the duo took first place at the inaugural Robert Ballack Memorial Charity Golf Tournament hosted at the Pointe-a-Pierre Golf Club on Sunday.
Despite the intermittent weather with showers, the tournament attracted 35 two-person teams and they were all able to complete the 18-hole course, which was followed by a prize-giving function and an aptly named “after par tee.”
Boodoo and Singh were in fine form as they totalled 44 winning points. It was a fitting result as both were long-time friends and golf partners of the late Robert Ballack, in whose honour the tournament was hosted.
The competition was closely contested and Kevesh Ramnath and Dwayne Ramlal followed in second place with 43 points, while Dr Arvind Ali and Amir Ali came in third place with 41 points.
Prizes were awarded to the top ten teams as well as the ‘Nearest the Pin’ player and the Best Dressed Team, which went to the SportsMax duo.
The tournament was organised with two main goals in mind; firstly, to honour the late Robert Ballack through the game he loved and to support the fight against cancer.
According to daughter and tournament organiser Maritza Ballack: “My father loved all sports, but he had a special passion for golf, and we could not think of a more fitting way to honour his memory that through this tournament.
“During his battle with cancer, he never lost his spirit or passion for life or his love for golf. Through this event, we were able to raise funds and awareness that will help other persons in their struggle against this terrible disease.
“I really must thank all the sponsors and persons who made this wonderful occasion possible and based on the reviews today we’re already thinking of how we can replicate it in years to come.” The Robert Ballack Memorial Charity Golf Tournament was able to raise and donate $65,000 to the Trinidad and Tobago Cancer Society, which was presented on the day to the organisation’s General Manager, Kevin Cox.
“Losing a loved one to cancer is never easy, but I admire the Ballack family for turning their loss into a wonderful tribute to Robert.
“This donation to the Cancer Society will go a long way in helping other patients and they are setting a wonderful example for others to follow,” Cox explained.