Meet The Winners Of The 27th Canadian Travel Industry Golf Tournament
After two days of competition at the Sandals Upton Estate Golf & Country Club in Jamaica, Team 3 was crowned the winners of the 27th annual Canadian Travel Industry Golf Tournament hosted in partnership with Sandals Resorts and Baxter Media.
With a combined score of 127 after two days of golf, Confidence Travel’s Christopher Gregoris, Leo Tam, Tom Liu, and Wendy Hsu secured a spot to represent Canada at the global travel industry golf tournament typically held at Sandals Emerald Bay in Exuma. The group also earned airline tickets sponsored by Air Canada Vacations.
Gregoris told PressToday that his team’s secret to success for clinching the top spot was a combination of “100% teamwork and making the putts when they counted the most — that’s what it’s all about — and to our amazing leader (Wendy Hsu) and to our caddies.”
Hugo Coulombe, vice president, finance & CFO for Air Canada Vacations, said each year the two teams they bring down are made up of staff members who get nominated by their peers as recognition for their efforts, hard work and achievements throughout the past year.
“It brings us great pleasure to be back in Jamaica for the annual Canadian Travel Industry Golf Tournament, which we’ve been attending and supporting for quite a few years now,” he said. “I am accompanied by Selma Filali, our Senior Director, Marketing and E-Commerce, as well as six very deserving colleagues who are shining examples of what it means to go the extra mile in everything they do. Their dedication to Air Canada Vacations is truly remarkable.”
Notably, the Canadian group raised more than the US and Latin American tournaments did for the Sandals Foundation. After raising US$1,528 at the golf course, an additional US$785 was raised at the awards gala held at Sandals Ochi Beach Resort.
“I want to thank Baxter Media for helping to organize this event over 27 years. It’s a great initiative and with the Sandals Foundation, it’s all for a great cause,” noted Sam Youssef of redtag.ca. “We’re happy as travel partners, employees and friends to be able to support it and we’re looking forward to next year!”
For the skill challenges, teammates Curtis Dewar and Norah Hogan from Trevello won the closest to the pin male and female respectively.
“These awards are legendary because the closest to the pin [female] is actually named after the matriarch of Baxter Media, Edith Baxter,” said Maureen Barnes-Smith, VP of sales & marketing for Unique Vacations (Canada) Inc.
The JTB’s Colin Harris and and WestJet’s Tobé Leney were also recognized as the longest drive winners.
Other notable recognition went to the overall runner ups, Team 2, with a combined score of 133 after the two day tournament, featuring Gord Ramkissoon, Lalita Ramkissoon, Leonard Sanicharan and Lalita Sanicharan of AirTouch Travel.
Meanwhile, best team spirit went to Fareconnect’s Belinda Van Oeveren, Sid Van Oeveren, Jackie Mosiondz and Barry Mosiondz, who rocked Winnipeg Jets jerseys on day 1 of the tournament.
“It’s such an honour to be here and this is selfishly my favourite, favourite event of the year and I will not give this up for the world,” said Angella Bennett, Regional Director, Canada for the Jamaica Tourist Board.
Over the course of the tournament, the group stayed at the newly opened Sandals Dunn’s River.
“It’s been great from a networking perspective, meeting a lot of travel agents and a lot of potential partners,” added Michael Curmi, Managing Director, Sales and Distribution at Porter Airlines. “And for us at Porter, this could be a future destination so it really makes sense to get connected with the Jamaica Tourist Board and Sandals.”
“Over the years, [the golf tournament] has proven time and time again, the value of strong partnerships and provided an opportunity to establish long-lasting friendships with our travel industry colleagues,” said Baxter Media president David McClung.
Partners from Canada Jetlines, WestJet, Porter Airlines, Air Canada Vacations, Uplift, Trevello, Air Canada, Voyzant, Roblin Travel and more, were on location to participate in the event.
