Kumar v Cho in Fiji Open women’s battle
Suva pro-golfer Tomasi Tuivuna is the favourite to win the event considering his recent form and that he is currently leading the Fiji PGA Order of Merit after four events
It will be a battle of two schools in the women’s division of the GM Motors-sponsored 52nd Fiji Golf Open Championship that gets underway at the Denarau Golf and Racquet Club today.
National rep Raina Kumar, the head girl of Swami Vivekananda College (SVC) will battle against the top golfer in the country Bella Cho, a student of Sangam Sadhu Kuppuswamy Memorial School (SSKMC).
“I have been practicing every weekend and after school for this competition and seem to be in great form. The course condition is great. I am excited and looking forward from both local and overseas players,” Kumar said.
Her mother Sunita Kumar, the vice-principal of Nadi Muslim College will be in action alongside, Slyvia Joe, Susan Yee, Seini Lewai, Linda Callaghan, Patricia Punja, Jenice Hinton, Sai Yee, Lilian Allen, and the evergreen Amy Subam.
Kumar who is the Team Fiji Golf manageress said that from the draw, she counted around 50 ladies including local and overseas which is a big boost to be part of the event where men are often part of.
Other top players include Carlene Kelly, Trisha Delforce, Loata Maria, Liu Ping, Helen Egan, Jacqueline Ah Koy, and Lynell Collins. Meanwhile, in the amateur men’s division, national rep and Nadi businessman Abid Hussein remains the top favourite in the amateur category but should face stiff competition from New Zealandbased Anuresh Chandra, Praveer Chand, and Shakil Pillay.
Suva pro-golfer Tomasi Tuivuna is favourites to win the event considering his recent form and that he is currently leading the Fiji PGA Order of Merit after four events. Roneel Prakash, Anansa Seruvatu, and Zoheer Ahmad should provide stiff competition to Tuivuna in the first for top honors and the $4000 winner prize purse.
About Fiji Open
The inaugural Air New Zealand Fiji Open was staged at the Vatuwaqa course, Suva from November 14 - 15 1970. Future Open dates were subsequently changed to the bank holiday long weekend in August. The first Open was 54 holes stroke play subsequently made in the following years to a 72 holes tournament to comply with International
Open standards.
Prize money was set at F$2,000 for the inaugural Open Championship.
Jim Hanley was president of the Fiji Golf Association at that time and Sir John Flakey, president of the Fiji Golf club, committee members at the FGC were Mark Israel, Don Warren, Reginald Woodman, Gordon Murray, Mrs. Arthur Leys, Stephen Gammon, Trevor Blanchard, Ron Connolly, Tony Cooper and Tony Burns.
The Open Champion received a miniature of the Championship Rose Bowl, the tournament champion’s blazer, and the prize money.