MULLET BAY:---- The St. Maarten Golf Association SMGA donated a total of USD 6,000 to three community organizations. These were:
1. The Generation New Status STM Drum Band
2. LAB Sports Academy
3. Junior Golf Foundation of St. Maarten
Each of these community foundations received USD 1,000 that resulted from the very successful Eastern Caribbean Golf Association Tournament that took place early October at the Mullet Bay Golf Course.
The remaining USD 3,000 came from the net proceeds of the annual St. Maarten Open Tournament that was held in April this year. In June, the SMGA already donated USD 6,000 to two other charity organizations after the annual St. Maarten Open Golf Tournament but wanted to wait with the presentation to the Junior Golf Foundation of St. Maarten for the start of the new golf season.
The Generation New Status STM Drum Band led by Urmain Dormoy, gives children the opportunity to be a participant in one of the best youth brass bands in the Caribbean. The STM Band left an overwhelming impression during the opening reception of the ECGA tournament hosted in St. Maarten. The Band uses the donation to buy new drum sets and costumes for their performers.
The LAB Sports Academy led by Les Brown have been assisting the SMGA for several years during tournaments and other activities, the donation will be used for additional track and field material as well as for the coverage of rental fee to use the Raoul Illidge Sports Complex. The LAB Sports Academy organizes track and field training, swimming and outdoor sports activities at no charge for youngsters from all neighborhoods in St. Maarten.
The donation for the Junior Golf Association will assist them to further expand the junior golf program and their goal to provide free golf to children from 7 to 17 years old. Led by Jim Rosen and golf pro Howard Hobgood, interested youngsters receive free lessons in golf at the Emilio Wilson Estate and the Mullet Bay Golf Course. The Junior Golf Program also teaches children some key principles of life like honesty, sportsmanship, respect and perseverance.
Each of the organizations have been involved during several tournaments over the last couple of years, with performances, with volunteers helping out on the course as golf marshals as well as in the hospitality area and assisted during all the activities that made the tournament such a great event.
The SMGA is a non-profit organization of avid golfers that promotes the practice of the game of golf and to foster community sense. The SMGA organizes golf matches and tournaments for its members and non-members and donates proceeds that are made through membership fees and during these events like the St. Maarten Open to multiple community organizations on the island.
