Maputai Cecil, who is bound for the Pacific Games, put on a good show at the annual Air Rarotonga Aitutaki Golf Open tournament to win the top prize in the senior ladies division.

The tournament, which was held a week ago, provided a good platform for Cecil and other national golfers to prepare for the Pacific Games in Honiara, Solomon Islands, from November 22 to December 2.

A total of 46 golfers — 35 men and 11 ladies — from Rarotonga registered and joined 41 golfers from Aitutaki, three from Melbourne, and one from New Zealand to compete in “probably one of the best tournaments to date, as everything from playing times, rulings, and allocations was up to par as expected,” the organiser said.

The three-day tournament saw some close competitions in the men’s and ladies’ juniors, intermediate, seniors, and veteran categories.

The tournament showcased some local talents, and as a result, after a long time, top honours have remained in Aitutaki.

In the ladies division, young Cecil took out the honours with an outright win in two categories: the Aitutaki resident award and the open ladies winner. Maputai played a calm and well-controlled game throughout the tournament, and with game time experience in Rarotonga, she managed to overcome her tough and experienced opponents.

Young Quinton Schofield took out the men’s outright honours, also winning in two categories: the Aitutaki residence’s award and the open men’s division. On the final day of the tournament, Schofield faced a tough battle from three other golfers closing in on him, but it didn’t affect his form as he stayed composed to win the title.

The two young Aitutaki golfers, Maputai and Schofield, have surprised a lot of people with their performance against some seasoned golfers who have won numerous titles in Rarotonga and Aitutaki.

Samuel Twin collected the big money prize of $400 after slotting two birdie twos in one day. The record for most birdie twos in one day is held by Alan Nanai, who managed three birdies. The record for most hole-in-ones is held by Greta Neale, who recorded four hole-in-ones.

Aitutaki Golf president Ned Neale would like to acknowledge the sponsors who came on board and contributed to prizes for the Aitutaki Golf Open 2023.

“A big meitaki atupaka to Munro Hockin and Air Rarotonga for always supporting the Aitutaki Golf Open every time, BSP’s David Street and Ali Napa who organised all sweep prizes for the four days.”

Other sponsors were BCI, May Kavana, Mary Souter, Michigan Motors, Baxters Waterworld, Stuart Henry, Slice Boyz (Melbourne), and Allan Mycroft, whose father started the Aitutaki Golf Club in 1970/1971.

Neale would also like to thank Sonny Karati and his assistant Metuatini (Tin Cup) Vaevae for the outstanding work they did to the greens, mowing and preparing them for the tournament.

The tournament ended with a big feast catered by the Are Kava Darts Club.

• Alan Nanai

Results

Best Nett: Ladies – 1^st Melicious Tumu 184, 2^nd Twin Henry 190; Men’s –

1^st Moko Kavana 191 (cb), 2nd          Takapuna Vaikai 191(cb); Vets Division

Ladies – 1^st Alice Pilkington 222, 2^nd Kurai Foster 228(cb), 3^rd        Nane Roa 228(cb); Men’s – 1^st Enuake Tare 212, 2^nd Juniour Manuela 221, 3^rd Tiraa George 222; Junior Division: Ladies – 1^st Greta Neale 242, 2^nd Jeneta Baxter 244(cb), 3^rd Catelyn Toko 244(cb); Men’s – 1^st Pi David Jnr 245, 2^nd David Street 250, 3^rd Zeka Williams 254; Intermediate Division:

Men’s – 1^st Tai Toko 232, 2^nd Daniel Tutai 233, 3^rd Teina Tekopua 234 (cb); Aitutaki Residence: Ladies – 1^st Maputai Cecil 213, 2^nd Kim Mitchell 224; Men’s – 1^st Quinton Schofield 211, 2^nd Winston Kiria 214(cb); Senior Division: Ladies – 1^st Maputai Cecil 213, 2^nd Kim Mitchell 224, 3^rd Alice Mitchell 229, 4^th Naomi Toko 237; Men’s –

1^st Quinton Schofield 211, 2^nd Daniel Webb 214(cb), 3^rd Winston Kiria 214(cb), 4^th Ned Neale(Saint) 214(cb).