Shakeel Pillay of the Denarau Golf Club triumphed in the amateur division of the 54th RC Manubhai Ba Open, achieving the overall gross title with an impressive score of 142. This victory marks a significant milestone for the 19-year-old, who expressed feelings of redemption after narrowly missing the win last year.
“It feels good to win this year. I feel it was redemption after last year’s performance,” said Shakeel, who is now focused on participating in overseas tournaments, starting in Australia in January. He attributes his success to his diligent practice, often alongside his father at the Denarau Golf Club.
Jalen Raman was the runner-up in the overall gross category, finishing with a score of 144. In the overall nett category, Christopher Daniel took first place with 130, just edging out Ganesh Chand, who scored 131.
The A Grade 36-hole gross division saw Asish Chand take the lead with a score of 145, closely followed by Isei Waqa (150) and Indra Warjan (152). Jainendra Prasad topped the nett division in the same grade with 139, trailed by Ashwin Sharma and Rohit Chandra, who both posted scores of 142.
In the B Grade, Sikipio won the gross title with a score of 158, while Sailesh Kumar (159) and Abdul Khan (162) completed the top three. The nett category was led by Samisoni Mara and Naleen Sharma, both finishing with 133, with Damon Chen closely behind at 134.
The C Grade 36-hole gross category was led by Sunil Sharma with a score of 178, followed by Sanjay Singh (180) and Mohit Prasad (181). In the nett division, Kamal Sharma scored 137, with Sanjay Sharma and Yash Kumar finishing with 138 and 139, respectively.
In the women’s division, Raina Kumar excelled with a dominant score of 150 in the overall gross category, while Seni Loga claimed the overall nett title with 130, followed by Seini Lewai (138) and Lusiana Leqa (140).
The professional division added to the excitement, with Zoheer Ahmad taking the title and Roneel Prakash finishing as the runner-up.
This event showcased the remarkable talent in Fiji’s golfing community, highlighting its continued growth and strength across all divisions. It promises a bright future for aspiring golfers like Shakeel, who aim to make their mark on the international stage.
In summary, Shakeel Pillay’s victory at the Ba Open not only reflects his personal dedication but also shines a light on the emerging talent within Fiji’s golfing community, encouraging more young golfers to pursue their dreams on larger international platforms.
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