Marist B.I.G Golf Club wins back to back titles

Apia, Samoa – 21 September 2023: The Marist B.I.G Golf Club is again the Top Golf Club in Samoa. This is following two grueling days in the hot sun last Friday and Saturday at the 3^rd Taula Samoa IBFC International Golf Clubs Championship 2023.

Marist B.I.G. won the event last year and managed to edge out a determined Le Vaiotausala to claim the top prize.

“We give all glory to God for us managing to retain the trophy this year,” said Fepuleai Falani Tupuola, Captain of Marist B.I.G. “There was a lot of pressure on us to win so we started practicing in the beginning of the year and our trials started 4 months prior to the tournament. We do not take the name ‘Marist’ lightly so we had to do our utmost best.”

Those who took part in the tournament were happy with how the tournament was organized, particularly the emphasis on honesty and golf etiquette.

“Our Golf Club took part last year and will again return next year. Marist B.I.G again hosted a marvelous tournament this year and we offer to deliver invitations to other clubs in American Samoa to participate next year”, said Fa’i Mareko, President of Tafesilafai Golf Cub from American Samoa.

The Clubs Championship was launched by Hon. Seuula Ioane Tua’au, the Minister of Education and brings the local golf clubs to compete with clubs from overseas using strokeplay format. After 2 days, the top 8 scores from each club for both golf courses at Fagalii and Faleata determined the winner.

These are the prize-winners this year:
1. Marist B.I.G Golf Club (1,126);
2. Le Vaiotausala Golf School (1,147);
3. Brothers & Sister Golf School (1,149);
4. Agape Golf School (1,155);
5. Mango Tree Golf School (1,164);
6. Tafesilafai Golf Club (1,268).

According to Tournament Director, Taupau Carlton Chadwick, “Organising this event is quite a challenge considering that we are all volunteers with our own jobs or businesses to run. But we thank God for the support of the sponsors and our wives which has enabled us to continue with this tournament.”

According to Safai Iosua of Le Vaiotausala Golf School from the village of Fagalii, “These types of tournaments are important in developing golf.”

“We have very few tournaments in Samoa to expose our young talent to. So I thank God for this tournament and for Marist B.I.G in helping to develop the young players from our village of Fagalii since some of them are currently in their development program,” he added.

One of Marist B.I.G’s top players is Greg Sanerivi, the son of the late golf professional Atapana Sanerivi. Greg won a bronze medal at the recent Samoa Games and is also selected to represent Samoa at the Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands.

Captain Fepuleai reiterated his gratefulness to the sponsors co-naming rights sponsors Taula Beverages & SIFA Samoa IBFC, plus the major sponsors Pacific Ezy Money, SSAB, McDonalds Family Restaurant as well as the associate sponsors – for without them, the tournament would not have been possible.