THE Lautoka Golf Club is geared up to host the Shreedhar Motors Ltd – Ford-sponsored deferred 2015 – 84th Lautoka Open Golf Championships at the Golf Links on Saturday.

The $5000 sponsorship has already attracted more than 80 golfers to be part of the prestigious event with 8 golfers coming over from New Zealand to participate for the first time.

Tournament co-ordinator Vijay Ram has thanked Shreedhar Motors-Ford for their continued sponsorship and promotiong of the oldest event of the LGC calendar.

Ram said the Lautoka Open was first staged during the Colonial Sugar Refining days with the first winner- JH Macleod registering his name on the honors board.

“Likewise, our very own former World No.1 Vijay Singh recorded back to back wins in 1981- 1982,” he said.

The club is proud to have produced national reps such as Shiu Sami Naidu-1987 SPG gold medalist, Daven Gopal- 1995 SPG gold medallist and Roneel Prakash who won bronze at the Pacific Games in PNG last year.

National reps Olaf Allan Jr and Prakash are the frontrunners in a star-studded field.

Home course favorites and past winners include club captain —— James Krishna, Prem Chand and Bobby Reddy.

Nadi Golf Club will be well represented by in-form Munesh Prasad, Ritesh Chandra, veteran Ram Khelawan and Mohd Faiyaz.

Likewise the Natadola contingent include the popular consistent performers in Ram Reddy, Pranit Chand, Biren Sharma, Rajesh Prasad, Gerard Sharma and Kavitesh Prasad.

The dark horse likely to spring a surprise will come from Asish Kumar, Chong Lee, James Leger, Richard Eyre, Tevita Drauniniu and Sunia Radovu.

The recent rain has really improved the greens and fairways with top scores predicted for the 27 holes event.