Golf Tournament in Nicaragua goes for an all time high!! 2008 Iguana Beach
Seldom we are able to see or are we even given the opportunity to see a good deed done in one day, yet twice…more you say? Well I can say I saw more than one good deed was done in one day on the golf course! What is this good deed? One good deed was the charity golf tournament, which raised over $6,780 for Iguana’s Children School. The 2008 Iguana Pro-Am hosted over 11 teams from differing countries. The winning team was yours truly, but that is insignificant compared to the good deeds done. We had a gentleman whose wife had knee surgery and yet he told his favorite golf professional Manuel Morera that when the dates are set pencil him in!
“Where did Mr. Roger Martin come from?” I asked. “All they way from Belgium!” Manuel said.
Ok great to say someone came from Europe to play again in our tournament. What else can you come up with…Ulrik?
Did I mention that on the winning team there as a 9 year old girl, Daniela Gutierrez whose mom saved up her hard earned cash in these trying days to come all the way up from Costa Rica with her little sister to participate in her very first tournament?
Did I mention that the winner of the closest to the pin was Canadian home grown and raised Sherri Eve Grbavac from Rancho Santana? Sherri also played on the winning team…”Team Iguana UNO!”
Did I mention we had a player from Panama ride 8 hours on a “Tica Bus” from Costa Rica to make the tournament? Juan Carlos Chavez was on “Team Costa Rica” (A.KA. Team Pinilla), by the way that team won second place.
Did I mention the staff worked until 1 AM on Saturday morning to make sure everything was set in place for a smooth tournament? A special thanks goes out to all whom worked so hard to make it such a great success along with our sponsors and patrons.
Did I mention an amateur won longest drive from Team Nihapa in Managua? Pancho Caledron with a 25 handicap and not a scratch player took home that trophy along with a bottle of 18-year-old rum.
Just when I felt like all those warm fuzzies were done and awards being handed out and the top raffle prize of a lifetime membership going out to Thomas Kirkvang from Team Vamos Group in Iguana, then Thomas did the most amazing thing! He asked me for the microphone and announced his prize of a $10,000 golf membership would be auctioned off right there on the spot with the proceeds going to the school benefit! For $1,850 the membership went to his buddy Soren Hasholt of Vamos Group!!!
OK…So now the original amount of $6,780 just broke last year’s fundraiser with Thomas’ generous feat along with Soren barking his final offer! $8,630 is the total amount raised for Iguana Children’s School. I cannot have dreamed a more Walt Disney fundraiser type event!!! I am proud of this event and all of our friends whom helped make this dream a reality! Thanks to everyone!!!
Local Elections, Roads, Heavy Rains, & Golf Tournament!!!
While the economy splutters along and the U.S. elections are around the corner, the finger pointing continues and the blame game goes on! But this one is clearly on Mother Nature! Heavy rains have caused power outages, road blockages, and communication breakdowns for most of the Central American pacific coastline. The state of the roads between the mountains in San Jose and Puntarenas (Costa Rica) forced many travelers back to where they came from.
Back on the ranch finally power was restored on Saturday evening here in Iguana. We were without power, access, or even communications for over two days. "TD 16" is what the weatherperson blamed here locally. Tropical Depression #16 was the most rain I have ever seen in this region in less than 24 hours in the entire past 4 years of living here and 12 years in Costa Rica! The rain gauge only registers 6.5 inches at its maximum capacity and by 7 am on Friday morning it was already overflowing. I called to the golf cart barn to send the tractor to pick me up so I could assess the damage. They say Katrina was bad, fortunately this time around there was no loss of human life. My head of security that dared to venture out past the rivers tells me that the roads are being repaired today.
The good news it that the golf course drainage once again held up remarkably and with less than four weeks to go the 2nd ever golf tournament it is still a green light! We still have room in the tournament for individuals or teams to sign up! Please contact us if you have not already done so. The trophies and awards are here in the pro-shop and available for your viewing and serve to tease those of us whom long to take one home!
Hurricanes, Rain, & Golf Gournament In Nicaragua On The Horizon?
Wait did someone ask about golf today? I am sorry Greg! You and your buddy will have no golf today we have had just too much rain! Last Night alone the rain gauge registered 4 inches of rainfall!!! In fact I have had the golf course closed for the past week and it does not look any better for golfers or surfers with three hurricanes on the Atlantic and Caribbean. Whilst these hurricanes are on the other coast it does affect Iguana immensely with rainfall. For some reason the storms on the other coasts bring in a tail effect of rains thereby causing us to shut down. Our resident engineer Juan Carlos called me this morning to say he would not be making it into the project, as the river is just too high and not passable! This is the earliest heavy rain I have seen in late August and early September. Just check out these amazing waterspouts, which tell us how dangerous it can be out here for the months of September. Remember October is yet to come! So while I sit stuck out here I decide to move forward and plan for Golf!
"But Ulrik you did say there would be golf!" Yes I did! It is now set, Hacienda Iguana's Golf and Beach Club 2nd annual golf tournament benefiting the Iguana Children’s School! The dates are set for Friday 21st, Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd of November 2008. Last year we had over 80 people in attendance with 50 golfers of all skill levels along with 5 professionals and this year we anticipate approximately 70 golfers and around 100 attendees! While Iguana has double in condos and homes since our last tournament we are anticipating a full house so space will be limited. Please reserve your spots now by calling Humberto Sanchez at humberto@haciendaiguana.com or calling (505) 855-7906. IF you cannot attend we are still taking donations and sponsors. Hopefully two major liquor distributors will take part this year! We already have commitments from Costa Rica teams!
We have already seen Dexter make a hole in one.... can someone repeat that task this year to win a golf cart, will some out drive last years longest drive champion Tim Baker, and will Team Vamos hold on to defend there title as tournament winners or will there be a new team from Costa Rica to take the trophy across the San Juan river? Will Ulrik keep the worst golfer trophy or does he get to hand it off to someone in his class? All these questions to be answered soon....we look forward to seeing you very soon!
First Hole In One In Iguana Beach, Nicaragua!
A big congratulations goes out to Dexter Wilson for the first hole in
one at Hacienda Iguana Golf & Beach Resort!
On Saturday August 2nd 2008, who would have thought that Dexter would
sink it for his first time for the first Iguana hole in one on hole
number six!
"I saw the ball land on the green and roll towards the hole then it just
disappeared!" witnessed Humberto Sanchez. Later when asked how many
rounds of drinks he had to fork out Dexter replied, "I had no idea I had
to buy drinks....I thought I would win a golf lot or something.... today
I am broke! Does Tiger have to treat players when he wins?"
All laughter aside, I am truly jealous of this young mans talent and
determination. Maybe some day when I am good and old, I will be able to
tell my kids, "Yeah not only your grandfather made a few holes in one,
but so did your dad.... and oh uh yeah a young Dexter Wilson, Bar and
Restaurant Manger of Don Eloy"s in Hacienda Iguana made the very first
hole in one in Iguana!
CONGRATULATIONS DEXTER!
Restaurant in Iguana Beach Now Open!!!
Don Eloy’s Nica Bar y Restaurante is now open and bustling at Hacienda Iguana, Nicaragua.
Don Eloy’s is decorated with Nicaraguan cultural items and provides full restaurant and libation services.
Don Eloy’s welcomes you to join Dexter Wilson Bar and Restaurant Manager, Holvin Hurtado Head Chef and the rest of the Staff for an enjoyable drinking and dining experience.
Don Eloy’s Bar is fully equipped and the Restaurant provides daily menus with a variety of Soups, Salads, Sandwiches and Entrees.
So come and enjoy the atmosphere at Don Eloy’s.
Open daily from Noon till close
We are not at home on Tuesday
For more information or reservations email us at don.eloys@haciendaiguana.com
Or call
(505) 421-9191
INAUGURAL HACIENDA IGUANA PRO-AM GOLF TOURNAMENT
Long over due has been Hacienda Iguana’s Blog! So many exciting things have happened over the past three months. Here how it all went:
The first month since June 19ths last Blog, I went to Cancun Mexico for Phillip Jenning’s Turf Grass seminar held at The Moon Palace Resort. Attendees were from all over Latina America and the Caribbean. Dr. Ronny Duncan was the expert lecturing on Paspalum Sea Grass. The seminar was very informative and educational. I had to ride in a golf cart from the reception to my room. Better remember the name of the building you are staying in or you will get lost. Mine was La Pina next to El Mango…. nice room but lacking that personal touch which I have come to love about our homes here in Iguana.
After that week of turf management training, I was off to Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas for a tradeshow promoting tourism to Costa Rica and Nicaragua. I made some great contacts for both Hacienda Iguana and our sister project in Costa Rica, Flamingo Marina Resort.
Following the tradeshow, it was off to Europe for some time off, rest and relaxation. England and Denmark were my two destinations. Whilst I enjoyed the Phantom of the Opera in Piccadilly Circus, I quickly discovered my Dollars, Cordoba’s and Colones were not going to carry me very far; so, it was a quick exit to Copenhagen. There I was able to unite with friends and family that I had not seen in over a decade!
Upon my returns to Hacienda Iguana, I noticed many improvements to the golf course in terms of plants, flowers, and even wild life! It was nice to be home at last. Unfortunately, for most of the month of August, Iguana and all local V-Sat systems were down with Internet. I was told many stories but the most important one to me was we are now back up and running for the past two weeks with some minor glitches!
So many of you have written to me asking for Iguana updates and I appreciate your patience. So here is what has been happening…
1. Don Eloy’s Nica Bar Y Restaurante is days away from preliminary opening. Jim tells me that he will have drinks, lights snacks, and hoagie sandwiches for the first week and in about three weeks the full service menu up and running. They will even offer delivery service to all homes and condos inside Iguana. He mentioned that is why they have a golf cart and a Blackberry cellular phone.
2. The Super Market has been sold and will hopefully be open in December. They will offer breakfast and even grocery delivery service to your home or condo in Iguana. Your grocery list can be ordered online and delivered to your place and in your refrigerator before you even arrive!
3. The first town house in Villa Las Colinas is complete and the punch list has been done. Furnishings are underway and should be complete in 10 weeks.
4. The first residential unit in Plaza El Pozo was completed last week and is ready for rentals!
5. Roofing on Villa Rio Dulce Condos has commenced and grey work completion is scheduled for Oct 15th, 2007.
The school has been completed, painted and is ready for furnishing and supplies. With that being said, I am proud to announce the following…. INAUGURAL
HACIENDA IGUANA
PRO-AM GOLF TOURNAMENT
PRESENTED BY:
BENEFITING THE IGUANA CHILDREN'S SCHOOL
*FRI-NOV.30 17:00: MINI-CLINIC FOLLOWED BY PAIRINGS PARTY @ DON ELOY’S
*SATURDAY-DEC 1ST:
2 SHOT GUN STARTS—TEXAS SCRAMBLE
FOLLOWED BY GOLF CLINIC AND TRICK SHOT SHOW BY PGA CHAMPIONS TOUR MEMBER—STEVE THOMAS & SUNBELT SENIOR TOUR MEMBERS----GREG HAYS, JAVIER SANCHEZ & DERRE OWSLEY
AWARDS CEREMONY & DINNER TO FOLLOW @ DON ELOY’S
TEAM PRIZES*LONG DRIVE & CLOSEST TO PIN CONTEST*DOOR PRIZES*REFRESHMENTS
For tickets please call:
855-7901
Or email us at:
info@haciendaiguana.com
