The Air Rarotonga Aitutaki Open Golf Tournament was held on October 26 with 79 players competing for top honours and great prizes.

In the senior mens division, there were great scores posted throughout the three day tournament with Ned Howard equalling the Aitutaki course record with a 7 under par 61. However due to a first round 77, Ned found himself trailing on the final round behind Kirk Tuaiti who played consistently with a 67, 63 and 66 to win the senior men section.

Daniel Webb 67, 68 and 64 was defending his title till the very end and played well to finish on second placing three short of Kirk.

Early leader Campbell Cecil 65, 66 and 69 had a couple of out of bounds on the final round to push him further back to take third placing.

Naomi George finally captured her first Air Rarotonga Aitutaki Open Golf Tournament with a steady round of 76, 72 and 71 on the final day.

Alice Pilkington who has been one of our most consistent golfers in the Cook Islands came in second one shot behind Naomi which provided a nail biter finish for the senior ladies.

Kurai Foster also played very well and was also in the midst of it all as she placed third, two shots behind Naomi.

Kimberly Mitchell placed 4th which summed up the top 4 ladies.

In the junior mens division Eddie Pittman reigned supreme as he came from behind to edge out the three Aitutakian to capture the junior mens title.

Eddie kept his cool and played great golf throughout the three rounds to score a 74, 74, and 73 to secure his first and definitely not last title.

Early leaders Ngapoko with a 72 first round failed on the second day with an 80.

Tai Toko and Thomas Stusky played consistently in the first two rounds but fell short on the final day when they carded 80s.

Andre Tanga was one of the early leaders but returned on the final day with a 72 to take 2nd. Thomas and Tai were 3rd and 4th respectively to complete the top 4 for the Junior Men.

Tania Karati won the junior ladies section with a total 224 followed by Nane Roa on 232, Rita Howard and Donnie Willis 242 to make up the top 4.

There were only two ladies in the vets section which guaranteed both women prizes.

Maara Kenning with a total of 229 won the section followed by Mama Olly Silk with 259. Mama Olly also received a one night stand, sorry, one night accommodation and dinner courtesy of the Aitutaki Lagoon Resort as a prize for the youngest player of the tournament.

Minister Tom Marsters, who has been absent from the Aitutaki Golf Club for a couple of years, turned up this year to play excellent golf to win the vets men with a total of 213.

Mauke Mauke 226 who has won the vets section for the past couple of years had to settle for second place followed by Tiki Maruana 231 was third with Papa Pu Mose 254 in the top 4.

Ned Howard said a wonderful speech on the final day for everyone to remember the early founding members of the club who paved the way for all of us to be able to enjoy the game today.

Munro Hockin also echoed Neds speech and announced that next year will be the 25th year Air Rarotonga has been the main sponsor of the tournament and would like to invite the founding members back for a big celebration for their efforts of the past years.