The recently concluded Golf Fiji junior golf tournament, held at the Novotel Golf Course, marked the first event of its kind in six years and attracted more than 35 young golfers from across the nation. Despite adverse weather conditions that limited the number of playable holes to 15, the tournament was filled with enthusiasm and sportsmanship from the young competitors.
Organizers praised the resilience of the participants, who displayed remarkable determination even in the face of rain. In the Under-18 category, Aarav Nand stood out with an impressive gross score of 59, securing first place. He was closely followed by Demon Chen from Ba, who finished with a score of 62, and Rusiate from Suva, who took third place with a score of 63.
In the Under-12 division, seven-year-old Kairav Prasad from Natadola Bay triumphed with a score of 43 over nine holes. Anaya Chand from Ba came in second with a score of 46, while Kayden Prasad finished third with a score of 47. The Under-9 category, involving five holes of competition, saw Chriyansh Dass from Lautoka winning with a score of 31, followed by Inoke Bolakoro Jnr at 34 and Joseph Drauniniu from Lautoka finishing third with a score of 40.
Amitesh Chandra, president of Golf Fiji, expressed appreciation to Inoke Bolakoro and Novotel management for their support in hosting the event and sponsoring the main prize. Looking ahead, Chandra confirmed plans for the next junior golf tournament during the first-term school holidays at the same venue. The success of this event was largely made possible through the sponsorship of Golf Fiji, New Delhi Electrical, and Easypar Golf.
This tournament not only signified a triumphant return for junior golf in Fiji but also underscored the spirit of youth sports and community engagement. The enthusiasm displayed by the young golfers promises a bright future for the sport in the region, revitalizing interest and participation in golf among the youth.