Noumea rain robs golfers of gold

The heavy rains on Saturday robbed the Cook Islands of a gold medal at the Pacific Games in Noumea.

The four-day golf tournament was called off on the final day as the course became soggy after the rains.

The decision was made after the Cook Islands number one female player, 16-year-old Elmay Viking, returned to the clubrooms with a course par 72 round.

However, the round wasnt counted and results were taken from day three of games where Viking carded 79 to place third and win the bronze medal.

Had the rains come a day earlier or the day four scores recorded Viking would have won the tournament after a course record 69 on day two.

Understandably the golf family was upset and disappointed at how the tournament was played out but team manager Ned Howard conceded that the rules are the rules.

It was an unfortunate end, said Howard.

Elmay played 72 holes and was the leader in the clubhouse because the other ladies were still on the course but we have to take what we get.

Howard also believed that the Cook Islands ladies team also had a chance of winning the team bronze medal and a lot of energy and emphasis was placed on the womens game on the final day of play.

Howard acknowledges that the mens team didnt play as well as they wanted to.

I believe the players were capable of scoring better but it was a hard course.

Howard said that the tournament has made the players wiser about their shortcomings on the green.

Each of the players now understand their shortcomings and what to work on now the experience will serve us all well for future tournaments.

Viking did not appear for the medal presentation with her award picked up by the remaining team members and the medal will be returned to the Rarotonga Golf Club.