LOADING
The third annual Peninsula Papagayo Invitational will take place on January 13th & 14th, 2022, with proceeds earmarked for a new technology hub to benefit local families in the surrounding communities.
By Francesca Poddie | November 9, 2021 | Guanacaste
Club
Creciendo Juntos

For many golfers, playing a round at the Ocean Course at Peninsula Papagayo is one of the best ways to spend the day. And for one day a year, playing a game can help improve life in the neighboring communities. The Peninsula Papagayo Invitational, now in its third year, is a popular event that fundraises for Creciendo Juntos´ efforts to help improve the well-being of residents in neighboring communities.

For the past two events, former World #1, Ernie Els, has participated in the tournament and Peninsula Papagayo is honored to have him join us for one more year as Peninsula Papagayo brand ambassador.

The beneficiary of 2019 and 2020 golf tournaments was Guardia High School. Proceeds totaled an incredible $150,000, a generous $50,000 more than our goal. With these extra funds we were able to complete our work for Guardia High School faster than originally planned. Projects included buying land to build more classrooms, construct technology and English labs, and engage in other building improvements.

Peninsula Papagayo Invitational

January 13 & 14, 2022
100% of entry fees to support Creciendo Juntos to fund a new community technology hub

“This year’s tournament will fund a new technology hub to give students of the greater Guanacaste community computer and Internet access to do schoolwork or homework,” says Elsa Bonilla, Director of Asociación Creciendo Juntos. “We will also have a two-person support staff to help educate students on how to use the computer programs.”

“Since the pandemic, more people have been without jobs,” continues Bonilla. “When you are having trouble paying rent and groceries, Internet connection is not even a priority. The goal is to offer digital training for students attending middle school, high school, or university.”

According to the Estado de la Educación 2021, almost 44% of Costa Rica’s children lack Internet connectivity at home. The pandemic only highlighted the digital disparity that made remote education impossible for many children. The goal of the technology hub is to provide Internet access, instruction on how to use software, and to teach superior critical thinking skills.

Land has already been secured to lease from Comunidad Church in Carrillo. Funds from the golf tournament will help fund a building and equipment. The technology center will build on the success of a training center funded by Creciendo Juntos and the National Training Institute that has trained over 6,500 graduates for careers in hospitality, retail, computer science, agriculture and customer service.

The Invitational has quickly become a popular event in the Papagayo community. It is an 18-hole Big Easy Shamble with four-person teams and a best ball format. The best of the four tee shots is marked and each golfer plays their second shot from that location. It’s real golf from that point on—each team member plays their own ball the remainder of the holes, until holed out. In true Papagayo style, there is also plenty of time to socialize, with a cocktail reception on the first evening at the Golf Clubhouse, breakfast before the tournament and an after-event cocktail reception gala dinner at the Clubhouse at Prieta Beach.

Come help support the local community and enjoy a day of gold with former World #1 Ernie Els at the Peninsula Papagayo Invitational. To register for the event or to donate to Creciendo Juntos, please email invitational@peninsulapapagayo.com.

Inquiries