JUNIOR golfer Isireli Digitaki is making the most of his rugby recovery period by dedicating himself to golf, a sport he has played since childhood but only recently pursued competitively.
The year-10 student from Nabua Secondary School was among three junior golfers who participated in the Fiji Golf Club Monthly Medal Stroke event last Saturday, sponsored by B. Prasad & Sons and Swire Shipping.
Digitaki, originally a rugby league player suffered a collarbone injury last year and was advised to take a two-year break from contact sports.
This setback led him to focus on golf, where he has found both improvement and enjoyment.
“Golf has been a great recovery sport for me,” he said.
“I became a financial member last year thanks to Stuart Murray, who covered my fees and sponsored me in a few competitions.”
He also credited his uncles, professional golfers Tomasi Tuivuna, Taitusi Tuivuci and Anasa Seruvatu for mentoring him, as well as Fiji Golf Club captain Zavir Khan for supporting junior golfers through clinics and sponsorships.
While he has yet to compete internationally, Digitaki made his debut in the Fiji Golf Open last year the biggest tournament he has played in so far.
Although he missed the second and third weeks of the BSP Summer Cup, he returned for the final round last Saturday.
“I enjoy golf because it gives us opportunities we wouldn’t normally have. We win prizes like vouchers, toasters and rice cookers things we may not afford otherwise,” he said.
With one year left in his recovery, Digitaki is focused on refining his golf skills but has not ruled out a return to rugby in the future.
