Chand, Sahayam swing to victory
GOLF at the scenic Lautoka Golf Club greens continue to be fiercely contested by members since competitions resumed in recent weeks.
On Saturday, on a fine day overlooking the Sugar City, the pair of Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) security engineer, Praveer Chand and Melbourne, Australia-based Manuel Sahayam fired a sizzling score of 60.5 to grab top honour in the ICS Diamond Tools & Auckland Fijian Golferssponsored Two men 18 holes Ambrose event.
The event recorded top scores as golfers, fresh from the recent break, battle for supremacy and the loads of lucrative prizes.
Tournament co-ordinator Sanjay Krishna said the consistent duo of Vikash Chand and Manual Ajaj netted 60.75 to finish closely behind the winners.
Past champion Asish Kumar and Abdul Jalal grabbed third spot on 62.5, while Jay Shiu Ram and Roland Singh posted their best score of 64.5 to claim the juniors category.
Brothers Brendan and Christopher Daniel of Ba Golf Club won the visitors’ category on 63.5.
LGC executive Raymond Singh paid tribute to one of the stars of the club who scored a double celebration in the event.
“Our club professional Roneel Prakash celebrated his birthday in winning style when he fired a cool 69 to win the professional category,” Singh said.
“I commend our ground team led by Reginald Ram and Asish Kumar for providing the fantastic fairways and greens that resulted in excellent scores on the day.”
Meanwhile, the nearest to pin (NTP) prize went to the pair of veteran Gaffar Ali and former Fiji and Nadi football rep, Maika Kasami on the ninth hole.
Lawrence Naidu hit the long-standing drive on the third hole.
Krishna also thanked his Auckland golfers’ tour group for pitching in to sponsor a full field of golfers for the 18 holes Ambrose event.
Other top results:
Jerry John/ Dr. Vimal Murthi - 62.75, Dennis Singh/Vinod Chand - 63.5, Raymond Singh/Daven Mudaliar - 64, Lawrence Naidu/Pritam Singh- 64.25, Sanjay Krishna/Paras Ram - 66.5, Rakesh Chand/Ashok Kumar- 67, Reginald Ram/Maika Kasami - 67, James Krishna/Gaffar Ali - 67.5, Bruce An/ Paul Kim- 70.