Tee off time: Defending Samoa Open champ ready

By Adel Fruean 27 June 2018, 12:00AM

The Faleata Golf Course came alive yesterday morning when international professional golfers joined local amateurs for the Pro-Am tournament.

The event was a prelude to the Invest Samoa 2018 Samoa Open which starts properly today.  

And no one is more excited about being back in Samoa than defending Invest Samoa Open champion Peter Wilson. The champion will face some serious competition from the 2017 Tahiti International Open Champion Dale Brandt-Richards as they vie for the A$50,000 Ladbrokes Pro-Am Series event.

Speaking to the Samoa Observer, Wilson said he is ready and had loved the opportunity to check out the Faleata fairways and greens yesterday.

“It is a really good idea to have the Pro-Am before the actual tournament especially for us competing in the Invest Samoa Open 2018,” he said.

“It gives us the opportunity to warm up and be familiarized with the field before the event.

“The Pro-Am also gives the opportunity for golfers to pair up in teams and get the chance to learn from each other’s different skills or knowledge based on golf. We all have one thing in common, we love the game of golf which is why we are all here.”

Looking ahead to today’s official round, Wilson said: “I am really eager for this year’s competition and hopefully this year, I can take back my title for the third time.”

The Invest Samoa Open and Invest Samoa Senior Open will see over 50 professionals from Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Samoa competing over three days for the respective titles.

The tournaments are sanctioned by PGA Australia.

According to a press statement yesterday, reigning Invest Samoa Senior Open Champion Brad Burns is back to defend his title.

He is expected to face stiff opposition from three-time winner Richard Backwell and current Ladbrokes Legends Tour Order of Merit leader Glenn Joyner.

“This is a great initiative by Samoa Golf Incorporated,” explains P.G.A. Australia Senior State Manager David Barker.

 “Whilst the tournaments provide a great opportunity for our PGA Professionals, the main purpose of the week is to enhance and promote golf in the region through elite player development and mass participation.”

The 54-hole event tees off this morning with the official prize presentation being held at Taumeasina Resort on Friday.

By Adel Fruean 27 June 2018, 12:00AM

Trending Stories

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.

>