In what was one of the biggest events of the year in Aruba, His Serene Highness Prince Albert of Monaco, His Highness Prince Pieter Christiaan of the Netherlands, Aruba’s Prime Minister N.O. Oduber and other VIP’s along with two-hundred invited guests were on hand for the official opening of The Links at Divi Aruba, Aruba’s new golf course, on Friday, October 29, 2004.ÊThe festivities began on October 29, 2004 with a cocktail party poolside at Divi Village Golf and Beach Resort, the resort where the golf course is located.ÊAlex Nieuwmeyer, Director of Operations for Divi Resorts Aruba, Prime Minister Oduber and Aruba’s Minister of Tourism and Transportation Mr. E. Briesen welcomed guests and shortly thereafter Mr. Nieuwmeyer presented a check in the amount of US$50,000 to the Laureus Sport For Good Foundation.

The donation was made in celebration of the opening of The Links at Divi Aruba and the founding of the Aruba chapter of the Laureus Foundation, in conjunction with a number of local Aruban businesses including Caribbean Mercantile Bank, N.V., De Palm Tours, Diamonds International, Hertz/Ultimate Automobiles, ATCO, Bon Bini Cargo, Arubaanse Wegenbouw Maatschappij, Caribbean Overseas.

Following the presentation of the check, H.S.H. Prince Albert of Monaco officially opened The Links at Divi Aruba by taking the ceremonial first tee-off. This was followed by champagne, hors d’oeuvres and a dazzling display of fireworks put on by The Links at Divi Aruba.

On Saturday October 30th, the Laureus Sport For Good Foundation Benefit Golf Tournament was held. The Tournament, an 18-hole Four Man Scramble, which was attended by H.H. Prince Pieter Christiaan, was followed by a luncheon for all players at the Red Parrot restaurant at the Divi Aruba All Inclusive, one of Divi Resorts affiliate properties. All monies raised in the tournament went to the Laureus Foundation.

The Aruba chapter of the Laureus Foundation is being founded by Nick van Kouwenhoven, President of the Laureus Foundation for Benelux. The monies donated by The Links at Divi Aruba will remain in Aruba to be used for sports sponsoring. The Laureus Sport For Good Foundation, an organization that uses sports as a tool for social change, currently has chapters in twenty-six countries around the world.Ê
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