Hussein Wins Lautoka Open
Abid Hussein claimed the 86th Geotech Drilling Services International and Islands Electric Lautoka Open golf championship on Saturday.
The Nadi civil contractor’s win was his ninth title, he claimed in Fiji this year, winning all amateur tournaments except for the Fiji Golf Club Open.
Hussein was away at the Asia Amateur All Championships at the Wellington Royal Golf Club at that time. This was his third Lautoka Open win after claiming the title back to back in 2013 and 2014.
He recorded a magnificent score of four under par 107 over 27 holes. One stroke back were Lautoka Golf Club’s James Krishna and FGC’s Olaf Allen Junior who both score 108. The tournament, which saw 14 professional golfers take part, a number of juniors and 14 ladies witnessed a record 125 participants, the biggest in the club’s history.
The tournament also saw the fruits of junior golf development with Nadi Golf Club’s 13 year old Andy Low scoring 96 nett.
Club chairman of trustees, Raymond Singh, while overwhelmed with the number of entries said next year’s tournament would be spread over 36 holes over two days.
“This year we had to refuse late entries because it was a one-day event.” “Even after a number of golfers had already started we still had golfers coming in wanting to take part.” The superb condition of the fairways and the greens saw some good scores recorded.
The tournament also saw $4000 prizemoney shared amongst the winners for the professionals. Each of the 14 ladies received expensive gifts as part of their prizes along with cash money.
The prize-giving was held in conjunction with the Fiji Bati v New Zealand rugby league clash which provided more entertainment for the evening.
“I could not even play because of the big number of entries so next year we will have itover two days so we can let everyone play.”
Singh said he was grateful to cosponsors Geotech and managing director Gary Barnett for sponsoring two tournaments in Lautoka over two consecutive weeks.
“I aim to make this tournament the most prestigious of the local tournaments and will start working on next year’s Lautoka Open after I have had a bit of rest.