Photo: Mr. Brian Lara hits  the first tee-off as President Anthony Carmona looks on beside Mr. Sam Martin and Mrs. Allyson Hamel-Smith, both of the Cotton Tree Foundation

The Opening Ceremony of The Cotton Tree Foundation's 14th Annual Charity Golf Tournament featured a pragmatic and inspirational address by President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, His Excellency Anthony Thomas Aquinas Carmona ORTT, SC on Wednesday 15th June 2016, at the St. Andrew’s Golf Club, Maraval.  

His Excellency lauded the efforts of The Foundation for continuing to make a difference in the lives of children and young persons and encouraging self-reliance, building self-esteem and self-belief so that they are placed on the road to realising their dreams and aspirations and not to the detriment of others. He also made a plea to the corporate world, not to dismantle their community projects, programmes and social initiatives in an attempt to cut cost. He stated, “It has been proven time and time again in recessionary times there is even a greater need for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in any nation weathering an economic storm.”

Mr. Brian Charles Lara, renowned sportsman and golf enthusiast, conducted a wonderful first-tee off at 9.00 am in the foreground of a Porsche Macan, the excellent Hole-In-One prize sponsored by Lifestyle Motors. Unfortunately, there were no takers this year!

The National Lotteries Control Board (NLCB) was a Platinum sponsor of the event with Blink/Bmobile being a Silver sponsor and L.J. Williams Ltd and KCL Capital Market Brokers Ltd.  taking up the Bronze sponsorship spots.


Photo: Winners of the Cotton Tree Foundation's 14th Annual Charity Golf Tournament, Mr. Anthony Hosang and Mr. Adrian Sampson are presented with their trophy by Mr. Samuel Martin, Chairman of the Foundation.

As the Tournament wrapped up the winners emerging from the tally were the team of Mr. Anthony Hosang and Mr. Adrian Sampson, sponsored by Junior Sammy Construction Ltd, in first place. They each won a prize of a trip to Grenada courtesy Caribbean Airlines, together with a 3 night stay at the Radisson Grenada Beach Resort sponsored by Radisson. In second place was the energetic junior team of Mr. Zico Correia and Ms. Zoe Correia, sponsored by Blink/Bmobile. Their prize of two iPhones was also sponsored by Blink/Bmobile. Mrs. Lauren Lara and Mr. Wayne Baptiste under the NLCB banner, copped the third place prize of a trip to Tobago courtesy KCL Capital Market Brokers Ltd. and a stay at the Magdalena Grand Beach Resort sponsored by the Magdalena. Mr. Wayne Baptiste also copped one of the Nearest-to-Pin prizes, coming a remarkable 1 inch close to the 7th hole.

The funds raised from the Tournament will go to the Foundation’s programs which help to provide high quality educational services and opportunities to children from under-resourced families, thus improving their life chances. Among the programs offered by the Foundation are a Pre-School, Home Work Centre, Annual Vacation Camp, Primary School Scholarships, Psycho-educational Assessments, Therapeutic Services (e.g. speech therapy, counselling etc.), Physical Education & Sports, and Character Development inter alia.  Additionally, the CTF engages parents and guardians through Parent Education/Support programs to equip families with sound parenting skills and to educate them on issues such as sexual abuse awareness, internet safety and financial literacy.

For further details on the CTF’s 14th Golf Tournament please contact the Foundation at 623-5120.