Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/4066/-1/140/
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AAnguillian Young Golfers In History
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One of the memorable features of the opening of the Greg Norman-designed Temenos Golf Course in Anguilla was the involvement of the children of the island. They not only held the long ribbon as it was being cut by government and company officials, but hit the first strokes, sending the balls way across the lush green stretch at the10th hole, where the ceremony took place on the morning of November 3.
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Cutting of ribbon (held by children) by Government & Company Officials
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The children, members of the Youth Golf Club, have gone down in history as having inaugurated the course, a breath-taking facility which will have a big impact on Anguilla as an up-market tourist destination. It was also an historic occasion in that the children of the island have been given opportunities to learn and play a sport which some thought was reserved only for the rich and famous.
Of much interest to all at the ceremony, was the presence of golf legend Greg Norman. He autographed the shirts of the young Anguillian golfers and gave some stunning performances. The power and skill with which he wielded his golf club sent gasps among the onlookers who looked in vain for the balls in the air.
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Starring in the Opening Golf Course shots
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Speaking at the ceremony, Anguilla’s Minister of Tourism, Victor Banks, said: “This has been a long journey and all of us in Anguilla, and the developers, are proud with what has happened here today. It is the beginning of something that started a long time ago that is here and is a part of Anguilla’s tourism project…To get here required a lot of hard work. There were Anguillian workers and others from outside the island. They all worked together as a team to make this possible and what we have here is one of the most beautiful golf courses in the world. We are grateful for this.
“So many people have come out here including the youth who have an opportunity to see what is happening and the beginning of Anguilla’s journey through golf. We look forward to many, many great games on this golf course.”
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Section of Golf Course
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Greg Norman, one of the three speakers, said the golf course was “a tremendous effort between private enterprise and government as well the stimulation of the economy by employment.” He said that it had been an honour for him to have been involved in the design of the golf course. He congratulated everybody for the transition that had taken place at the site. “This golf course, to tell you the truth, is one my favourites,” Norman observed. “I can just walk out on this golf course, see it, feel it and understand it.” He was delighted that he had the opportunity to hold a coaching clinic for a number of children and hoped that one day a golf champion would emerge from among them.
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Government and Company Officials
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Paul Kanovos, Chairman and CEO of Flag Luxury Properties, applauded the children “for their beautiful performance.” He described the golf course as the number one in the Caribbean. “All of this has been possible because of the vision and commitment of the Anguillian leadership and we are very thankful for their commitment. It has also been possible because of the passion of labour of the Anguillian people who actually built this beautiful facility. Therefore it is only filling that the first golfers to officially inaugurate this golf course are the children of Anguilla.”
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ALHC School Choir led by Teacher Daphne Jacobs-Richardson
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The ceremonial opening of the golf course began the evening before (on Thursday, November 2) with speeches by a number of government and company officials. In his address, released to The Anguillian, Chief Minister, Osbourne Fleming, said in part: “One should never underestimate the impact the Flag/Temenos Golf Course Project and St. Regis has had on this wonderful island over the last four years. This project is what jump-started our climb back into prosperity and what has provided an unprecedented level of employment and the resultant impressive economic activity. The economy of Anguilla would not be as buoyant as it is today without the Temenos Golf Course and St. Regis.”
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Greg Norman autographing children’s shirts
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Mr. Fleming said he was enveloped by “a sense of pride, a heightened sense of national dignity and of course a sense of accomplishment for the Government and people of Anguilla with regard to what has been done here by Flag and St. Regis.” He was grateful to Robert and Laura Sillerman in particular for their involvement in various developments and capacities in Anguilla.
Shortly after the opening ceremony, many visiting golfers drove their carts onto the golf course for play in the Marquis Jet-Temenos Golf Invitational. A number of local golfers also participated.
Golf legend - Greg Norman
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