Tonga’s plans to construct a new golf course for the 2019 Pacific Games has disappointed Pacific Games Council President Vidhya Lakhan, who says there is no need for the new course.
And Lakhan, the current Captain of the 18-holes Fiji Golf Course in Vatuwaqa in Suva, says with over 600 members he and his club members have been struggling to maintain the course.
“It is not an easy job,” Lakhan told the Nuku’aofa Times at the Sofitel Hotel in Denarau, where the Oceania National Olympic Committee General Assembly was held last week.
Lakhan said Tonga’s Government has made a decision which would need a lot of work in the future.
He added there is no need to build an 18-holes course when there is a current 9-holes course available.
“The maintenance of the course is going to be a big challenge,” he said.
“Tonga has less than 100 golfers and the Games Council does not need to see another construction which will mean more money being used.”
Lakhan said that in Japan and the United States of America more and more golf courses are closing because they have not been able to be maintained.
Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva announced at a press conference in Nuku’alofa earlier last week that Government will own the course and has plans in place for its maintenance.
When asked by the media whether the course will be 18-holes or 9-holes, PM Pohiva said it will depend on the timeframe they have.
The new site will be at Popua, an area that is covered under the Fanga’uta Lagoon Catchment/Ridge to Reef project.
Photo Nuku'alofa Times: Pacific Games Council President Vidhya Lakhan