Lautoka golfers anticipate return to the greens
MEMBERS of the Lautoka Golf Club are raring to get on the golf links overlooking the Sugar City for more competitions.
The Western Division golfers are looking forward to the lifting of sporting restrictions after sports tournaments were closed because of the current infection of the COVID-19 pandemic. Club chairman of trustees Raymond Singh said they were confident of hosting the 90th consecutive Lautoka Open Golf championship if restrictions were lifted.
The championships started in 1931 and the club's official calendar year ends in mid December. The club has a very rich history of winners such as left-handed player, the late Rahimat Ali of Nausori Golf Club, 1987 SPG gold medallist Mahmood Buksh, Olaf Allen Jr, Rajend Goundan of the Fiji Golf Club in Suva, Dharam Prakash of Pacific Harbour, Beera Goundar of Labasa, Abid Hussein and Anuresh Chandra of Nadi, Jalen Raman and Rafiq Mohammed of Ba.
"Our very own successful champions such as Daven Gopal, Shiu Sami Naidu, James Krishna, Roneel Prakash and our youngest ever champion, Daniel Nair Jr who won at 15 years of age, had been part of the legacy of the club.
"The icing on the cake for this prestigious national events was Vijay Singh's back to back wins in 1981 and 1982 before turning professional and heading to play Wold No.1. The rich history of the winners' names shine brightly on our honour's board."
"Despite the pandemic and limited resources for course and greens maintenance, our genuine sponsors have continuously come onboard to support LGC.
“We are grateful to Japan-based professional Dinesh Chand to stage the biggest local golfing PRO-AM once international boarders open. Having played alongside this great gentleman at Nadi Airport Golf course during my captaining,
“Chand has and is still supporting golf in a big way. LGC is a proud recipient of his sponsorship in particular our junior development golf program, that now boasts eight juniors playing members."
Singh urges club members and their families to adhere to all the Ministry of Health directives and guidelines and to receive the vaccines.