Invest Samoa Open closes with prize giving

By Adel Fruean 01 July 2018, 12:00AM

Invest Samoa Open 2018 held its prize giving at the Taumeasina Island Resort on Friday evening.

The three-day tournament ended with a night to relax and celebrate all the achievements accomplished by the organisers and the golfers. 

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, who was present at the event, said: “To our overseas professionals, legends and their sponsors and supporters, we value your participation.”

“For us, it’s more than golf, it’s also promoting Samoa as an investment option, as a tourist destination, we encourage you all to make time, drive around the island and check out our local sites, experience our culture.”

“To the winners of the open legends, national amateurs and to our professionals winner Alex Edge, Invest Samoa Senior Open, Richard Backwell, Taula National Amateur Championship Samu Ropati a big congratulations.”

“To all the players and supporters who have travelled from afar, safe travels on your return to your respective countries.” 

I hope to see you all again next year. To our local players both women and men, the target is next year’s Pacific Games. You know what to do, and we expect nothing less than gold,” Tuilaepa said.

The 2018 champion of Invest Samoa Open golf tournament, Alex Edge said: “It is my first time playing in Samoa and also first time visiting the country. It is very nice to come to a new place and go back home with the trophy.” 

“I am a professional golfer from Australia and I started playing in the professionals in 2014.”

The 29-year-old from Sydney said his idol is Tiger Woods and how he strives to accomplish what Tiger had achieved.

“Golf to me like any other sport, is very competitive and so it is such a fickle game, it seems so easy but it is very hard in a way.”

“It is an opportunity for people to be competitive, due to it being an individual sport, you rely on yourself.”

“In times you might blame yourself so you have to put all your strengths in all the games you play, but especially have so much patience,” Mr. Edge.

“It doesn’t improve over night, it takes time and dedication, but also you learn discipline because you have to push yourself and get better.”

“I love Samoa, the people are all so friendly especially the laid back attitude, life back home is very busy. I will be returning back home and tell all my friends and family about my memories in this beautiful pacific island,” he said.

By Adel Fruean 01 July 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

Upgrade to Premium

Subscribe to
Samoa Observer Online

Enjoy unlimited access to all our articles on any device + free trial to e-Edition. You can cancel anytime.

>