Golf club kicks start 2018 season

By Nefertiti Matatia 22 April 2018, 12:00AM

The Royal Samoa Country Golf Club teed off its 2018 season yesterday.

Held at the Fagalii Golf Course, Aeau Peniamina Leavai, a member and a Patron of the club hit the first tee ball to open the season for all the members of the club and for anyone to play golf.

Aeau said golf is ought to be known as a gentleman’s game, which is the spirit of the game. He acknowledged the Executive Committee and members of the club.

“I am thankful to each person present here because you are the people who still maintain the sport and also for the future generation of Samoa.”

“Mind you it is a community service and we may never know that we have a professional golfer amongst these young people,” he said.

The event also marked the first President’s Tournament for this year. The new executive committee of the club was also announced during the event. 

The new president is Fuimaono Dr. Junior Leavai working alongside him as the Vice-President is Lutuiloa Vaiula Solomona.  

The Club’s Captain is Fata Samuelu Lolagi and the Vice-Captain Sulumalo Amataga Penaia. Secretary of the club is Tapunuu Maposua Fetu and the treasurer is Levao Iulai Lesa.

Speaking to the Sunday Samoan, Fata shared the first tournament is called the President’s Tournament because of the sponsorship of the prize.

“Every Saturday we will be looking for sponsors for every tournament because otherwise we would have sponsored it ourselves.”

“We have tournaments mostly every Saturday. I would say that 70 percent of Saturdays throughout the year we would have tournaments because it all depends on the weather,” he said.

He says for almost ten years there have been many challenges for them to reach where they are at now.

“During these ten years I have been the captain our main issue is the financial position of the club. I have seen in the past ten years the decrease in number of players.”

“Probably players are diverting to something else or they have lost interest in playing golf or maybe they have found another course.”

 “Our main source of income is the subscription fee, $750 for someone to become a member and to play right throughout the year.”

“If you are not a member you pay a green fee of $15 to play 18 holes or $10 every time you come,” he said.

Fata sharesthe reason why golf is known to be a gentlemen’s game.

“Golf is known to be a gentlemen’s game because you are on your own. Have to be honest when you play because you count your own scores.” 

“It is an opportunity to come here and share with others. Sometimes this is where the business people come to share and do their business on the golf course.”

“You will mostly see old people in this sport, barely any young generation. This generation they love going out and playing rugby but later on in the years they will play golf just like me,” he added.

By Nefertiti Matatia 22 April 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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