A Fiji golf showdown at Denarau Golf Club saw Golf Fiji president Amitesh Chandra take the professional category with a solid 73 as 96 players contested the Club Championship across all divisions over the weekend.
In the A Grade, Shakeel Pillay fired a 72 to grab top honours, while Manjoor Bag posted an 83 to win the B Grade and Rahul Kumar finished with 98 for the C Grade crown. The women’s competition was no less competitive, with Raina Kumar winning the Ladies A Grade on 73, Carlene Kelly taking the B Grade title, and Seini Loga claiming the C Grade with a 104.
Chandra described the event as a great success, noting the weekend’s camaraderie and fierce competition. “It was a fantastic weekend of golf with great camaraderie and competition. I’m proud to see such enthusiasm for the game and grateful to everyone who made it possible,” he said.
Denarau continues to cement its reputation as a hub for Fiji golf, hosting high-calibre events that draw players from across the islands and beyond. The venue recently featured the Dinesh Chand Invitational, which drew around 120 golfers and showcased the sport despite weather disruptions, underscoring the resilience and growing appeal of golf in Fiji. The tournament highlighted the sport’s international reach, with sponsors and players from overseas contributing to the island’s golfing footprint.
The weekend’s results add to a season that has already seen notable Fiji achievements. Shakeel Pillay, a Denarau standout, captured the Ba Open amateur title at the 54th edition with a 142 in the gross category, signaling his rising profile as he eye’s international competitions abroad. In the same era, Zoheer Ahmad has topped the professional division at Ba Open events, reinforcing the depth of talent surfacing from Fiji’s golf scene. Such performances illustrate the pathway from local club championships to larger regional stages, and they bode well for the sport’s development in the region.
This Club Championship at Denarau not only crowned strong performers across multiple grades but also reinforced the sport’s community spirit and competitive depth. The mix of veterans and emerging players showcased a healthy, buoyant golf environment in Fiji, with clubs, sponsors, and players collaborating to push the game forward.
Commenting on the broader outlook, analysts note that the Denarau momentum aligns with ongoing efforts to grow golf among younger players and to secure international exposure for Fiji’s talents. With this weekend’s results, the sport’s trajectory in Fiji looks positive, and the local golf community can anticipate more high-caliber showings and perhaps new talent breaking through onto bigger stages in the years ahead.
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