golf course

Golf teams test out Pacific Games venue

New Caledonia and American Samoa teams are taking part at Fagalii Golf Course, Apia, with the Samoan squad also competing as its final trial before selections are made for the Games.

The Samoa Open, played over three days, sees professional and seniors compete for a total of AUD$95,000 in prize money. It is also a test event for the Pacific Games.

With ten days before the Games open, David Barker, the technical delegate for Golf, said the course has already improved in the past week, with more regular mowing to make for faster greens.

Organisers not happy with Tonga PM's golf plans

Last week the prime minister 'Akilisi Pohiva said everything was on track.

However the committee said the government is wasting money by insisting on building a new golf course.

'Akilisi Pohiva has said a new nine hole course will be built at Popua.

But the organising committee CEO Lord Sevele said there is already an existing course which can be upgraded to suit which would cost eight million pa'anga less than the prime minister's plan.

Tonga to build new golf course for Pacific Games

'Akilisi Pohiva and members of the Games Organising Committee visited the new site last week.

The government had originally proposed building a new 18-hole course, despite the CEO of the Games Organising Committee, Lord Sevele, saying the current nine-hole course in 'Atele was suitable for the Games.

The Prime Minister said the two parties have now come to an agreement.

"We discussed that with the organising committee that no upgrade (to 18 holes will take place)," he said.

"They have performed the people that organise the sport that nine holes is ok."

No need for new golf course Pacific Games Council chief tells Tonga

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.

Tonga government approves new golf course

The government's Technical Committee has told Radio Tonga that site has been approved at Siumafua'uta, Popua.

The location is to the east of the old dumpsite at Popua where a new public park was constructed.

The original plan after the various proposed sites were turned down to extend the current golf course at 'Atele.

In October the Prime Minister 'Akliisi Pohiva told Parliament that he had doubts Tonga could host the event, partly because no land had been found for an 18 hole golf course.

Tonga withdraws plan to build new golf course for the Games, Atele course expanded

It made the decision after the Beca International Consultancy said the current course could not be expanded for the Games because of the lack of surrounding land spaces.

But the government said negotiation was underway to relocate residents in the area so that the course could be expanded.

Construction of new golf course for Pacific Games delayed

The Palace Office and Ministry of Infrastructure confirmed to Radio Tonga News an agreement was made with the Prime Minister on the specific area for the field as part of the preparation work for the Pacific Games 2019 - but Tufumahina was not part of the agreement.

Both Ministries decline further comments but the Prime Minister's Office says they will release more details on the issue later.