THE race for senior golf supremacy is heading for a showdown, with 45 players set to return to the Fiji Golf Club in Suva today knowing one final round could change the leaderboard.
The Fiji Senior Golfers’ Association’s 44th Annual Open Golf Tournament has produced closely fought contests across the grades, leaving several players within striking distance as they chase top honours.
In the A Grade Men’s division, Robert Li and Richard Kwon are locked together at the top after carding 81 gross each.
Vijendra Prasad has the advantage in the B Grade Men’s division on 89 gross, with Gardiner Whiteside six strokes adrift on 94.
The C Grade Men’s battle is even tighter, with Thiphait Hussein leading on 90 gross and Kishore Dahya just one stroke behind on 91.Maria Margetts holds the lead in the Ladies Division on 92 gross, while Sharon Smith remains within reach on 94.
The men’s nett standings are also tightly poised, with Li and Hussein sharing the lead on 71 points.
Loata Maria leads the Ladies nett division on 70 points.
Sponsored by Swire Shipping and Superstores, the tournament has also highlighted the association’s growing membership, with two of its four new members joining the field this year.
Trevor Elliott and Rakesh Varman are among the new members, as the association continues its push to attract golfers aged 55 and above.
Association secretary Susan Yee said the arrival of new members was an encouraging sign for the organization’s continued growth.
With leaders holding narrow advantages in several divisions, tomorrow’s final round promises more than a formality.
The players at the top will be looking to protect their positions, while those chasing them have one last opportunity to turn the tournament on its head.
