THE 20th annual Baxter Travel Golf Tournament slated for the Sandals Golf and Country Club teed off yesterday with over 80 Canadian travel agents and tour operators taking part.

The tournament, the third major international staged at the venue in recent times, is expected to deliver a shot in the arm for Jamaica as a golfing destination and also the nation’s tourism industry, as the agents and tour operators will be heavily promoting the island.

The United States and Latin American travel agents completed their events last month,

“Jamaica stands to benefit significantly from hosting these influential travel agents,” said Tony Ebanks, general manager of the Sandals Golf and Country Club, who is also the tournament director.

“Not only will they be here as part of the Sandals tournament, but they will tour the island, experience what Jamaica has to offer and when they go back, promote and sell Jamaica,” Ebanks added.

Event organisers were pleased with the large number of entries to the Baxter Event and since its inception, each year has always been well attended.

Seventeen four-man teams teed off yesterday morning in the scramble format and the Jamaica Observer was told that the leaders shot 10 under par, with the teams in second and third places at seven under par.

For today, the 18-hole event will be spiced up with the ‘Longest drive’ and ‘Closest to the pin’ contests. Tee off is slated for 8:30 am on the second and final day, while the awards ceremony at the Sandals Grande Riviera kicks off at 6:30 pm with cocktails, to be followed an hour later by dinner.

“Traditionally we have always had some fun and also riveting action on the golf course and this year promises to be no less impressive,” Ebanks said.

Brian Roper, general manager of Sandals Grande Riviera, where the participants are staying, pointed to the significance of the Canadian market which has experienced growth in the past several years and is of vital importance to the island.