After two gruelling days the Marist B.I.G. Golf Club has come out as the overall winner of the Taula Samoa IBFC International Golf Clubs Championship 2022.

Like last year, the competition was fierce with every club vying for the title of top golf club in Samoa plus the prize money of $4,000 as well as the trophy and gold medals.

This year 12 golf clubs took part with three coming from overseas. The overseas clubs were Tafesilafai Golf Club and GTG (Good Times Golf) from American Samoa and Marist Pro-V from Auckland, New Zealand.

In the individuals division, best gross scores at both Fagalii and Faleata went to Malase Bob Maifea, the Marist B.I.G. resident pro who shot 68 at both courses to come up with a total score of 136.

For the Women’s division, this was won by Aileen Meredith of Good Times Golf who had a combined score of 143.

In the Men’s A division, best nett went to Iupeli (Billy the Kid) Iene Faaliga of Marist B.I.G. who shot a total of 134. He also scored a hole-in-one at hole 17 at Fagalii.

For the Men’s B division, Thailand Tagata of Le Vaiotausala won best nett with a total score of 134. 

Taupau Carlton Chadwick, Tournament Director, talked about the challenges of organising the tournament, including navigating the challenge of limited golf carts and more players. 

“Organising this tournament was quite a challenge given the increase in the number of players and limited golf carts. This year we decided to split the players into 2 playing groups to play simultaneously at both golf courses at Fagalii and Faleat," Chadwick said. 

"On the final day, the groups swapped golf courses. Given the interest already shown for next year’s tournament, we may have three or even four playing groups. 

"We may also add another tournament like a Pro-Am type Tournament before the clubs tournament. It will be like a ‘golf galore’ golf week after the Teuila Festival!"

For the golf clubs competition, these are the results of the Top 4 clubs:

The defending champions were Le Vaiotausala Golf School from Fagalii which had won the inaugural tournament last year. But they were edged out by Marist B.I.G this year by 8 strokes.

According to the skipper of the players for Marist BIG and golf professional, Malase Bob Maifea, their practice sessions finally paying off.

“Last year, we won at Faleata but our scores were not competitive at Fagalii resulting in us coming third so this year we practiced mostly at Fagalii and our strategy paid off," he said. "Praise the Lord!”

While those who came from overseas thoroughly enjoyed the tournament, such as Alesio Petelo Vili of Marist Pro-V from Auckland, who praised its organising and assured of his return next year. 

“This was a well organised tournament and I am definitely coming back next year," he said. 

"A lot of overseas clubs will participate next year if the tournament is publicised at least 6 months in advance. 

"Thank you Marist B.I.G. for a job well done!”

Marist B.I.G. Club Captain Paulo Stowers was grateful and became teary eyed when he looked back at the success of the tournament.

“We return all the glory to God for another successful tournament and I am so humbled by our win. We asked the Carmelite nuns to pray for the tournament and we also visited and thanked them after the tournament. 

"I am also grateful to all the sponsors, especially the naming rights sponsors Taula Beverages Ltd and Samoa IBFC (the marketing arm of SIFA). 

"I also want to acknowledge with gratitude the excellent condition of both golf courses.”

For more photos and full details of the results from the Taula Samoa IBFC International Golf Clubs Championship 2022 visit the Marist B.I.G. Facebook page.