The five-diamond property has implemented a "Sandy Lane World Cup Champion" series of events aimed to ensure this, and Michael Pownall, chief executive of the hotel, said it started on a high with enthusiastic participation by employees.

"The World Golf Championship is a very prominent event in the worldwide golf arena and for Barbados, and Sandy Lane, to host it is an honour and a great opportunity.

"The exposure Barbados will get from this tournament is immeasurable and we have to ensure that it is hosted flawlessly, which is why we are doing all we can to ensure that all on the team at Sandy Lane are ready," he said.

The first preparation event, a Longest Drive Golf competition, came off recently at Hole No. 8 on the resort's Old Nine Golf course, and saw coaches and champions taking to the tee to determine who has the longest drive in professional, amateur and novice divisions.

Co-ordinator Lester Headley, Sandy Lane's change agent for excellence and motivation, explained that all the events were aimed at ensuring the coaches and champions were knowledgeable in the sport of golf.

"We will also be organising a Golf Product Knowledge Quiz competition aimed at familiarising our employees with the terms and jargon related to golf.

"There will also be golf clinics, distribution of information on golf, and the hosting of a staff golf tournament to climax the activities," he said.

In the professional division of the Longest Drive competition, Credon Walcott won with a drive of 290 yards, while a tie-breaker determined James Scott second and Mark Smith, third, both with strokes of 240 yards.

The amateur division saw Alpha Jackman hitting the farthest with a drive of 230 yards, followed by Cregston Bispham with 220 yards and Peterson Padmore with 199 yards, while in the Novice Division, Egbert Smith was first with 209 yards followed by Darren Bowen with 180 yards and Kerry Howard with 174 yards.

In the women's novice division, Joy-Ann Waithe placed first with 167 yards followed by Ventrice Edwards with 130 yards and Janetha Burgess with 118 yards. (BA/PR)