Defending champ ready for Samoa Open 2017

By Emily Dunn 28 June 2017, 12:00AM

Defending Samoa Golf Open champion, Peter Wilson, is feeling confident ahead of the Samoa Golf Open 2017, which tees off at the picturesque Faleata Golf Course tomorrow morning.

Today, the 39-year-old, who is no stranger to Samoa, will warm up with a round in the Pro-Am, which tees off at 10am.

The tournament was officially launched at the Faleata Golf Course yesterday.   

 “I’ve been playing a fair bit, I came third in Tahiti International Golf Open,” Wilson said. 

Although having not yet seen the green, he is hopeful that his experience of high temperatures in Melbourne will prepare him well for the Samoan sun. 

Although well prepared, the Champion will have to fight hard to retain his title, as he noted that there are several good players entered, 

“There are roughly twenty players here and I think half of them have the potential to win it,” he said.

Wilson, having been to the island more than ten times, tells the Samoa Observer of his love for the island, so much so, he re-invested last year’s winnings back into country. 

“I came back with some friends and we went surfing and helped to rebuild some of the villages on the south coast.” 

The competition is not just for the professionals.

Local golfer and business man, Nicholas Caffarelli, aged 38, has entered the competition as an amateur.

 Having entered last year in the 7-12 handicap category and won, he is feeling confident going into today’s proceedings. 

He will be competing in the 0-6 handicap range and explains his strategy as having fun and enjoying his surroundings. 

“Sometimes the more you concentrate the worse you do,” he said.

Cafferalli has been impressed with this year’s venue and gave thanks to those responsible for its up-keep. 

He also expressed excitement at the advent of the Tuala National Samoa Championship and the opportunity to gain a national ranking. 

 “I wish these sort of events would encourage our youth and future young golfers to join and try and take it as a career.”

He has been receiving tips from the pros regarding his swing and hopes that this last minute advice will help him get the win today. 

The three competitions are set to be a thrilling event, and the ideal opportunity for Samoa to showcase its local talent. 

The Deputy Chairman of Golf Incorporated, Fepulea'i Patrick Fepuleai, launched the Invest Samoa International Golf Championship, the Senior Open, and The Taula Samoa National Championships. 

He kicked off the meeting by explaining S.I.F.A’s change of brand name to Invest Samoa. 

They are the title sponsors of the Championship and hope that their new name will help to promote the organisation overseas and its recognition.

 “I am glad to announce that Taula, the Samoan beverage brand, is on board as the sponsor.” 

Promotion of Samoa and its local community is arguably behind the Professional Golfers Association (P.G.A.)’s decision to relocate the Championships from its usual location at the Royal Samoa Golf Course, to the Faleata Course at Tuana'imato, as the site is open to the public.

By Emily Dunn 28 June 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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