Swing like Singh in Fiji
Monday, 11 Sep 2006 14:24
Don't get too distracted by the views on Fiji's golf courses
Seeing the palm trees, rich blue seas and distant islands that provide the backdrop to Fiji's golf courses it is easy to understand why the island nation has only one pro-golfer.
Vijay Singh remains the only world-class graduate of Fiji's courses, and one explanation could perhaps be that the remaining golf population are too distracted by the vistas to concentrate on their play.
That Fiji is an attractive place to play golf is not in doubt, but for those who take their golf seriously, it does have much to offer as a golf holiday destination.
It boasts more than a dozen nine and 18-hole golf courses to choose from, including three championship courses.
Although Fiji comprises more than 300 islands, most of the courses are on the main island of Viti Levu within easy reach of the airport at Nadi.
Close to Nadi is the prestigious Denarau Golf and Racquet Club, a 72-par course with water challenges on 15 of the 18 holes and breathtaking views out over the South Pacific.
Nearer the Fijian capital, Suva, is the Pacific Harbour Country Club, another par 72 18-hole course, designed by Robert Trent Jones, while the third championship course, Fiji Golf Club, is within Suva itself.
To play the fairways and greens where Vijay Singh himself began on a path which at one stage led to him being ranked the world number one, head to the Nadi Airport Golf Club.
Singh was raised in Nadi and the club is often referred to as his home course. His brothers Mira and Krishna can still be found gracing the course, which his father played a part in designing.
And golfing enthusiasts will not have too long to wait before they can play on a course designed by Singh himself.
The Natadola Marine Resort on Viti Levu's Coral Coast is due to open in 2008 with an 18-hole course that Singh has been working on for the best part of a decade.
Fiji's golf courses
Nine hole courses
Ba Golf Course
Labasca Golf Club
Lautoka Golf Course
Rakiri Golf Club
Shangri-La Fiji Mocambo
18-hole courses
Denarau Golf and Racquet Club
Fiji Golf Club – Suva
Nadi Airport Golf Club
Natadola Fiji (under construction)
Pacific Harbour Golf & Country Club
XXX