Fiji Sun

Wivou Wants More Fijian Women to Play Golf

- WAISEA NASOKIA Edited by Karalaini Waqanidrol­a Feedback: waisean@fijisun.com.fj

ZWomen should be made to feel comfortabl­e to get out on the course and obviously juniors as well. That’s my main aim right now.” Zenia Wivou Profession­al golfer

enia Wivou hopes to get more girls and women into golf while on a break here. She is back in Fiji after four years.

Based in Dubai, the 28-year-old profession­al golfer is breaking new grounds taking part in internatio­nal tournament­s around the globe.

In her diary she is scheduled to compete at the Sunshine Ladies Tour (South Africa) 2023 and WPGA Tour (Australia) 2023 plus the Ladies European X Series. While visiting her family here with her parents she has been playing in the local competitio­ns with the male pros.

“I’m actually heading back to Dubai at the beginning of January and then straight onto Johannesbu­rg then to the European Ladies X Series,” Wivou told SUNSports. Then golf was not her initial choice for sports, she was into football while growing up in Australia. It was there that while at university she was injured.

“I had a really bad knee though I had a knee replacemen­t; it took me quite a long time to recover. I slowly moved into golf.

“I only just came back probably six-months ago – I worked hard and now am in full swing.”

“Just when I got the grip of things, COVID disrupted the flow. It was really hard for me to get my physiother­apy and the gym that I needed to get myself fixed.

“I decided to bring my golf bag

down and see what I can do out here.”

She is hopeful more women will get into golf, top on her list is to get as many women she can,.

“Women should be made to feel comfortabl­e to get out on the course and obviously juniors as well. That’s my main aim right now.

“If you have any interests in the

game, you know, just go for it. “I think most of the people that I have spoken to are because they’ve never done it. They never tried the game before.

“Just get out there, try it. Even if you have played bad shot profession­als, make bad shots.

“You know, it’s not an uncommon thing. It happens, everyone makes mistakes but I think if you can really just go out there and have a try, go for it,’ said Wivou.

About Wivou

She was born June 10, 1994 in Sydney, Australia to Fijian dad a nIndian origin from Taveuni while her mother is from Levuka.

The family moved to Dubai when Wivou was two. She spent most of her free time playing golf, played in the United Arab Emirates, Ras Al Khaimah where she is based.

Some of the Pro Golf events she played include the Sunshine Ladies Tour (South Africa) 2021, WPGA Tour (Australia) 2018, Santander Tour (Spain) 2021, LETAS (Europe) 2021-2022, Troon Mixed Pro AM sponsored by Century Financial - 4th Place (being the only female in the top 20) 2022.

Major golf amatuer experience include Ladies Champion Towerlinks Golf Club – 2018, Ladies Champion Towerlinks Golf Club – 2010, Third Place Dufry Ladies Open UAE – 2018, Fiji Ladies Open top 5 - 2012, WWG Golden Ticket Regional Qualifier – 2010.

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 ?? Photo: Waisea Nasokia ?? Zenia Wivou with her dad Josefa Wivou at the Denarau Golf & Racquet Club, Nadi.
Photo: Waisea Nasokia Zenia Wivou with her dad Josefa Wivou at the Denarau Golf & Racquet Club, Nadi.

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