Close finish in Air Rarotonga golf tournament

Faced with rain and blustery conditions, the 88 players competing in the Air Rarotonga tournament handled the Rarotonga Golf course very well – with some notable exceptions.

Much of this was due to the state of the course which Sonny Karati and his team have got in such good condition.

All in all, the morning players had the best of the day with the heavier rain starting in the afternoon.

Ned Howard had the best round of the men, carding a 70 while Kurai Foster was the best of the ladies with a 77.

Tukai Engu had a terrific round with a 75 off the stick to finish with a +7 in this bogey competition and take out the major prize of a return ticket to any southern group island.

Young Ngarima Areai, returning to golf after a break, was a close second with a +6.

She was followed by Kurai Foster, Here Story, Tere Okirua, and Chris McGeown, all with +5.

Rounding off the prize winners were Ake Tereia, Sonny Karati, Charlie Numanga, Aukino Tairea, and Bernie Raffe, who each finished with a +4.

Big hitter Tom Vea managed to keep one straight to take out the longest drive for the men and Donny Willis outshot her opposition to win the ladies’ longest drive.

Our thanks go to Ewan Smith and Air Rarotonga for their generous sponsorship, of this ever-popular tournament.

This Saturday is a normal club sweep. The next few weeks are vital for many players because these games are being used to select the golf squad from which the team to represent the Cook Islands at the South Pacific Games will be chosen.