Giving golf a go with a P.G.A. Pro

By Sapeer Mayron 27 September 2018, 12:00AM

Only a handful of the children that showed up at the Faleata Golf Course to learn golf from P.G.A. professional Scott Puailoa.

The rest went to try something new and to learn a skill from the best.

Scott Puailoa is a Samoan American who is visiting the country to deliver three days of golf clinics to children, as well as train the trainers for an evening.

He said golf for the children is not only a great athletic game but also a chance to practice “mental toughness” and resilience.

Pue and Petergus are two young boys who have never picked up a club before, and they said they were excited to try it.

“I just wanted to test it out, and see if I like it,” said Pue.

Ma’alaina said she had seen golf being played on TV and thought she might have a try.

“It’s my first time, it’s cool there is a man who wants to teach students how to play,” said another eager player, Daisy.

The event was sponsored by the Embassy of the United States, and Chargé d’affaires Tony Gruebel was in attendance to kick off the day.

“We are thrilled with ourselves,” he said.

The Embassy sponsors US athletes to train with Samoan’s every year, but having a Samoan American athlete this year was a bonus, he said.

“Our local partner Richard Brown had a connection with Scott, and so we brought him over based on Richard’s recommendation.”

Kilo Brown is a junior golfer already, and even went to San Diego in March this year to compete internationally.

He joined the golf clinics as a coach and assistant, to help demonstrate the techniques and skills to the other kids.

“I like golf because of its strict rules, and that I don’t get bruised or hit playing it,” he said.

Two other boys in the group, Joseph and Joshua come out to the Faleata Golf Course on occasion with their parents.

They said they enjoyed the game because it takes maths skills and concentration to do well.

By Sapeer Mayron 27 September 2018, 12:00AM
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