MORE than 120 golfers took to the tee for the Northern Open Golf Tournament at the Fiji Golf Club in Vatuwaqa, Suva yesterday.
The tournament, usually held in Labasa, was brought over to Suva to help bring in a large number of golfers to participate in it.
The two-day meet, which ends today, has been held with the intent of helping support the Labasa Golf Club and to help improve its facilities, with proceeds from the tournament going towards the club.
Ganesh Chand, the chairman of Global Girmit, which organised the tournament, said it was held in the capital city this year to help minimise travel expenses for the many golfers who travel over from Viti Levu.
“Every year we used to have it in Vanua Levu (in) Labasa, this year we brought it to Suva because a lot of people from Suva couldn’t go to Labasa because of very steep air fares and accommodation, so it was better for us to get the tournament over here,” Chand shared.
With a high number of participants, he said while the tournament was a challenge to organise, he said the Global Girmit organisation, a charitable group, was thankful for the support of sponsors.
“We have got over 120 players, which is a very good turnout. A lot of professionals are here, it’s difficult to organise a tournament when you are a charitable group.
“We are a charitable group, so we are very fortunate.”
“Some gave $1000, some $500, some $20, some $2000 so all that added to make up this tournament.”
The competition ends today.
