National Golf Association of Fiji

Mathew Griffen. Picture courtesy of Fiji Sun

Winner Mathew Griffin flanked by Vodafone Corporate General Manager Ms. Avanthi Senaratne and Liga

Shilton from the Tee

Vati from the sand Trap

Natadola Championship Golf Course Remains SteadfastThe Vodafone Fiji Open 2009 venue, Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course continued to impose itself over the players and at the end of the event only one player managed to break par over the four days. And for the four days, the golf course remained unchallenged; the best could only go back with the Vodafone Trophy on a two over par.Designer Vijay Singh did not mince his words when he initially described the course as ‘... it is not meant to be easy and would test the capabilities of any everyday golfer, it is a championships course.’ His words lived lived up to it and will bring out every challenger to see who would tame the course and the designers claim.Winner of the Vodafone event; Mathew Griffin promised the Sponsors; Liga and Avanthi that he would return to defend the Vodafone trophy with his colleagues. The result of the 2009 event is as competitive as the scoreboard can reveal. Amateur and Professionals alike fell on the wayside as the Bay course demanded more from them. If the wind was not enough, day two’s rain showed the other mean character of the terrain.On the final day, the foursome of Mathew Griffin, Brendan Stuart and Tony Christie went about their days work with tenacity. Attacking early to get the clear advantage, Tony parred the first two holes while the rest of the field bogeyed or doubled bogey. From the 3^rd hole the pack was all square on bogeys as the course started to pick on any of the four that played wayward shots.At the turn, the group were all in the hunt, evenly poised and it was evident that the more easy back nine would provide the winner on who of the four could make their shots count. Mathew came out tops with a birdie on the 10^th and 11^th and an eagle on the short 15^th hole par 5. A bogey on the final hole and plus 2 on the card was good enough to take the Vodafone Cup and a clear 6 shots from the challengers.That was how the 2009 Vodafone Open began and started, an amateur champion from the 2008 Eisenhower Cup Australian team became the Man of the Natadola Bay, a rookie turned Champion.National Golf Association of Fiji, Vodafone Fiji and Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course owes its success to these fine 144 gentlemen that left their homes to make this golf event and fairways; five honourable days to remember.

Vodafone Fiji Open 2009 Heats Up

If anyone thought that Mathew Griffen had the competition wrapped up after day 2, a big surprise reared its head on the third day. The pairing of Tony Christie, 2007 Vodafone Fiji Open champion; Joshua Carmichael, PNG Open champion; Brad Shilton, current champion and rookie, Mathew Griffen brought out one of the best rounds of competition to be witnessed by the Fiji gallery.

The four players were at each other straight from the first tee and at the turn had gained two shots on Mathew who competed two days of competition with a good score of 2 under par. It was evident that the Vodafone Fiji Open 2009 would end up being a tight and competitive event ever to be experienced.

Joshua Carmichael stood out as one of the strong contenders for the final day. He had long drives off the tee, a very good approach shot and his ability to attack the green consistently and with good results brought the pack home with his lead of 73.

Mathew Griffen shot 74 and Brad and Tony were unable to match.

At the end of the day, Mathew's lead for the tournament was reduced to 5 strokes (216) on Josua Carmichael. Brendan Stuart meanwhile had returned a good score of 70 to tie for second with Joshua and will join the final group on Monday.

The leading players of Mathew, Joshua, Brendan and Tony are expected to tee off at 9:30am.

In the Amateur ranks, a 79 by Olaf Allen has given him the overall lead from Ashween Ram and Anuresh Chandra.

SATURDAY 13TH JUNE 2009
The Vodafone Fiji Open playing at the Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course lived up to its menacing character with only one player breaking par on Friday 12 June. Mathew Griffin a rookie Professional, lived up to his credentials as the number 1 amateur in Australia in 2008; and their captain to the Eisenhower Cup the same year. To date he is leading on two under (71, 71). Hot behind his heels are Richard Lee of New Zealand, the winner of the Denarau Open and Krishna Singh, elder brother of Vijay Singh.

Playing from the Championship tees and a tight first fairway the first hole claimed the lives of any that strayed on its boundaries. Six groups returned early on Day two to complete their first days play because of bad light.

Other good scores from the Professional ranks were Brad McIntosh on 73, Brendan Stuart on 74 and Mukesh Chand on 74. Strong winds were predicted for Saturday and this is expected to make things tougher for the players. However the competition with the first 10 players will be consistent. Last years winner, Brad Shilton, is 6 shots shy of the lead.

At the end of Day Two, Mathew was still leading the group on 142 and followed by;

Tony Christie (146) Vodafone Fiji Open Champion in 2007 and currently Resident Professional on the exclusive Laucala Island resort.

Josh Carmichael (148) Young Maori, won the 2008 South Pacific Brewery and 2007 Tahiti Open. In his profile, Fiji is his best holiday destination.

Brad Shilton (150) From New Zealand and turned professional in 2005

Krishna Singh (150) Elder brother of Vijay Singh

The amateur field has been blown wide open with Olaf Allen who was leading on Day One with a 78 and another 78 on Day Two surrendering his lead to Ashween Singh (Australia – 78, 72). Another three in the elite National team follow with Anuresh Chandra on 159 (81, 78), Alvin Sharma on 163 (81, 82) and Arvind Lal on 164 (81,83).

Heavy rain and windy conditions exposed players to a meaner side of the course and the players now have a better idea of the entire character of Natadola in the two days. Today (Sunday 14^th) the players are seeded and spectators are abound to follow the leading group of Mathew, Tony, Joshua and Brad.

The foursome tee off at 10am and will be on the back nine holes at approximately 1:00pm