BHTA Stages Annual Golf Tournament

The Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association’s (BHTA) highly anticipated annual golf tournament was a “hit” for golfers who turned out in droves to participate. The BHTA’s 24th Annual Spooktacular Tournament took place at the illustrious Royal Blue Golf Course at Baha Mar.

This year’s tournament featured fierce competition as participants vied for a treasure trove of prizes, including premier airline tickets, high-value hotel stays throughout the archipelago, delicious dinners, spa treatments, top-tier libations, Tru Tru Bahamian handmade gifts, golfers favorite cigars, and locally made award-winning rum.

The tourney has become known for its corporately sponsored activation stations scattered throughout the course, offering food, drinks, giveaways, and prizes to golfers as part of their day of play and fun.

The coveted tournament victory went to well-known golfers Christopher Adderley and David Slatter, who walked away with the first place trophy and staycations at Baha Mar and dinner at Katsuya and Marcus restaurants at Baha Mar. The second place trophy was awarded to top players Crestwell Gardiner and Jayson Clarke, who took home staycation prizes at Atlantis Royal Towers and dinners at Paranza. Chris Bloore and Ben Thomas finished third for a second time in a row and walked away with stays at the distinguished Rock House on Harbour Island, Eleuthera.

Staycation prizes were rife amongst the top 10 winners, who were thrilled to have the opportunity to enjoy stays at treasured hotels such as Abaco Beach Resort in Abaco, Pineapple Fields in Harbour Island, Peace & Plenty in Exuma, Swains Cay Lodge in Andros, Embrace Resort in Exuma, Resorts World Bimini, Comfort Suites Paradise Island, and on New Providence — British Colonial Hotel, Margaritaville Beach Resort, Goldwynn Resort & Residences, and Sunrise Beach Club and Villas.

This year, in keeping with the Halloween theme, golfers were asked to vote for their top three “spookiest booths”. This year’s two top corporate sponsors, Fidelity Bank and RF Bank and Trust, finished first in an unprecedented tie for the top prize. Margaritaville Beach Resort, which had delectable food and drinks at their activation stations with their historic neighbor, the British Colonial, finished strong in second place, and the One Eleuthera Foundation took third. The end of the night’s gathering spot, the “Prize Tent”, was once again sponsored by Commonwealth Brewery, which provided thirsty golfers with the only beer on the greens, ice-cold Heinekens.

Other corporate sponsors, supporters, Spooky Booth purveyors and prize donors included newcomer Auto Mall which sponsored a Hyundai Santa Fe 2026 hybrid seven-seater SUV, valued at $57,000 as a hole-in-one prize, with insurance being provided by Insurance Management. Other sponsorship, donations and booth activations were provided by the Baha Mar Foundation, the Royal Blue Golf Club, the Paradise Island Tourism Development Association (PITDA), the Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board (NPIPB), JS Johnson Insurance Brokers and Agents, Margaritaville Beach Resort, Asure Win, Graycliff Cigar Company, Makers Air, John Watling’s Distillery, the d’Albenas Agency, Asa H. Pritchard Ltd., Straw Works By Patricia, Cia Monet, the Bahamas Football Association, Tranquilitas Spa, Tradewind Aviation and Bahamas Coconut Stock.

The Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association looks forward to hosting its quarter-century tourney next year.

By Sheldon Longley
Sports Editor
The Guardian