As published in the Fiji Sun 12 June 2011

Golfing in Paradise

What a week the first week of the Professionals swing through the Pacific has been, with some great golf being displayed. The first event on the calendar was the Air New Zealand Koru Club Pro-Am over 2 days last weekend at Denarau, it needed a sudden death playoff to decide the winner as Nick Gillespie and Jarrod Pender were tied at 11 under par.

The pair played the 18^th hole twice before Jarrod Pender was victorious. At the same time the Blue Gas Nadi Open was being fought out at the Nadi Airport Golf Course, again a Sudden death playoff was needed to decide the winner as defending champion Anuresh Chandra and Olaf Allen Jnr were tied after the 3 rounds, Olaf was successful on the first sudden hole of sudden death. Wednesday saw the guys head to the Shangri-la Fijian for a 1 day event, a large field was in attendance to see 3 players tie for the title at 5 under par, Nick Gillespie, Alex Tait and Andrew Henare shared the spoils.

Thursday the field assembled at Natadola Bay for the Club Car Pro-Am, the scoring was again good as Brad Shilton took the title with the lowest round ever to be shot at Natadola at 6 under par 66, Brenden Stuart and Mark Purser shared second with 3 under 69's.

The field now heads to The Pearl for the Digicel Fiji Open which will be held over the 3 days of the long weekend. A capacity field will take on the Robert Trent Jones Jnr layout and those interested seeing some great golf should head down for a look. The winners of the lead up events will all be there and will be joined by defending champion Mike Hendry and past winner Mathew Griffin.

On the amateur front our National boys will be trying to stop the title from going off shore as they take on players from Australia and New Zealand, Vikrant Chandra the winner of the Fiji Amateur will be trying to hold off Olaf Allen Jnr the newly crowned Nadi Open Champ and team mates Anuresh Chandra and Roneel Prakash and don't be surprised if the later of the 4 causes an upset. What better way to wrap up a long weekend than sipping a cool beverage at the clubhouse as you watch these players battle it out for the National Title, all visitors are welcome to come and watch.

The last event of the Fiji leg of the Pacific swing is the Starwood Classic from the 15^th to the 18^th at Denarau and Natadola Bay, all players will play 2 rounds on each course. The event has the largest purse played for in some time in Fiji of $110,000 and all credit to Shane Cunning and the Starwood team for raising it and guaranteeing such a strong field attends all these events.  

Events for the Coming Week:

Natadola Bay -

• Wednesday - Ladies competition all welcome meet at the pro-shop at 9am
• Saturday 18^th - Monthly Medal Stroke played from the blue tees, call 6733500 for bookings

The Pearl -

• Wednesday - Single Stableford from the member's tees commencing at 10:00am all golfers holding official handicaps welcome.
• Saturday 18^th - Single Stableford from the member's tees commencing at 10:00am all golfers holding official handicaps welcome.

Nadi Airport - Saturday competitions run for all with valid handicaps. Contact 6722148 for further details.

Suva Golf Club - 14th June - Stroke event - sponsored by Fiji Chemicals. Phone the club on 3382872

Special Offer - Intercontinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa + Natadola Bay Golf Course

From FJ$338 per room twin share and inclusive of taxes, the package features buffet breakfast in Sanasana Restaurant with overnight accommodation in a Garden View Room.