Shakeel Pillay from the Denarau Golf Club has achieved a remarkable feat by winning the overall gross title in the amateur division of the 54th RC Manubhai Ba Open, finishing with a commendable score of 142. This victory marks a significant milestone for Shakeel, as it is his first win at the Ba Open, which he sees as a form of redemption after narrowly missing out on the title last year.
The 19-year-old expressed his excitement saying, “It feels good to win this year. I feel it was redemption after last year’s performance.” With aspirations to compete in international tournaments, he plans to start in Australia next January.
In the overall gross category, Jalen Raman finished as the runner-up with a score of 144. Meanwhile, Christopher Daniel took home the overall nett title, scoring 130, just edging out Ganesh Chand, who scored 131.
The tournament also showcased notable performances across various categories. In the A grade 36-hole gross category, Asish Chand won with a score of 145, followed by Isei Waqa (150) and Indra Warjan (152). In the nett division of the same grade, Jainendra Prasad led with a score of 139, leaving Ashwin Sharma and Rohit Chandra behind at 142.
In the B grade, Sikipio secured the 36-hole gross title with a score of 158, with Sailesh Kumar (159) and Abdul Khan (162) in close pursuit. The nett category was led by Samisoni Mara and Naleen Sharma, both finishing at 133, just ahead of Damon Chen at 134.
For the C grade, Sunil Sharma topped the gross category with a score of 178, followed by Sanjay Singh (180) and Mohit Prasad (181). Kamal Sharma led the nett division with a score of 137, closely followed by Sanjay Sharma and Yash Kumar with 138 and 139, respectively.
In the women’s division, Raina Kumar excelled in the overall gross category with a score of 150. Seni Loga took home the overall nett title with a score of 130, followed by Seini Lewai (138) and Lusiana Leqa (140). Additionally, in the professional division, Zoheer Ahmad claimed the title, outperforming runner-up Roneel Prakash.
This year’s Ba Open not only highlighted individual talents but also emphasized the strength and depth of Fiji’s burgeoning golf community, underpinning the sport’s growing popularity in the region. The participants’ commitment to the sport and their impressive performances can inspire future generation golfers.
In summary, the 54th RC Manubhai Ba Open showcased remarkable achievements across divisions, revealing the promising future of golf in Fiji while celebrating the triumphs of dedicated athletes.
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