“We’re doing our bit for sports tourism. We’re proud to be back and we want to be proud of what Samoa offers visitors and tourists” - Toalepai
The All Samoa Invitational Golf Tournament (A.S.I.G.T.) is back in Samoa after last being staged here 31 years ago.
It’s been two years in the planning and eight trips were made to Samoa this year by the president of the hosting club, the Samoa-New Zealand Golf Association.
Toalepai Lui Tautolo said their club has brought the three-day event to Samoa at the request of the Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi.
“Tuilaepa said it would help the economy, the country and for our purposes, it’s a chance to visit our families andreturn to Samoa.”
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Boasting membership from six major clubs; the Samoa New Zealand Golf Association ; Los Angeles; San Francisco; San Diego;
Hawaii and American Samoa, the tournament is an annual event and will be held at the Faleata Golf Course .
Over 100 golfers are expected and locals can also pay a fee to take part.
“We had hoped to play a day at each of the three golf courses, Fagali’i, Faleata and Penina but the other two courses don’t have enough golf carts for our players so the whole tournament will be played at Faleata.”
“It’s 37 years since we first established this tournament and each year, clubs take turns in hosting.
“So instead of having it in New Zealand for our turn, we decided to come here.
“We also decided to run an extra one-day practice tournament on Monday and donate the proceeds to charity.
“When this idea was put to our members at our presentation during last year’s event in Las Vegas, it was agreed.”
“Again, at the suggestion of the prime minister, the funds raised on that day will go to the Goshen Mental Health Services,” he said.
“It will highlight the plight of people with mental health problems who are often kept out of sight in Samoan society and gives us a chance to give back,” he said.
Even though some of their American-based golfers will not arrive in time for Monday’s practice tournament, Toalepai said they have already pledged to donate anyway. Vailima Breweries has also come on board as a product sponsor.
As well as the prime minister speaking at tonight’s dinner at Faleata, next year’s host,
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