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TONGA USA GOLF OPEN - 2005 played at the Palo Alto Golf Course on August 19th and 20th 2005 Sponsored by Maryanne Salt of Golden Horizon Mortage Written by Master A Tu'iono [Click Here for more Photos of this event] On the 19th and 20th of August 2005, the Tonga USA Golf club hosted its inaugural two-days Golden Horizon Mortgage Open Classic 2005 at the Palo Alto golf course in Palo Alto California. The main sponsor of the event; Golden Horizon Mortgage donated $2000.00 to make this event a reality. A special thank to a Tongan business entrepreneur Maryanne Salt of Golden Horizon Mortgage who was instrumental in securing the donation for the event. Other notable sponsors include Tolifili and Matiu Fa of Tanusia-ma’a-Tonga TV who donated $500.00, Robert Topui who donated $500.00, Sione Fetu’u and Katherine Tulua of Primerica Investment who donated $400, Albert Matu of Decorative Construction who donated $300, L & L Hawaiian BBQ Hayward ($250), L & L Hawaiian BBQ Union City ($250) and Keith Fa of Legal Prepaid Services who donated $200.
Winner of Tournament; Tony Mapu Finau of Salt Lake City receiving the prize from Tolifili Fa. There were a total of 70 avid golf players participated in this 2-days event, and they came from Tonga, Fiji, Australia, Los Angeles, Patterson, San Diego, Seattle, Salt Lake City and finally from around the San Francisco bay area. The star player of the day was our own Tongan golf phenom, the 15-year old Tony Mapu Finau from Salt Lake City, and who was a member of the U.S Junior Ryder Cup team of 2004.
Golfers who came all the way from Tonga, and did very well in the touranment. The competition also attracted a group of prominent Tongan junior players from the bay area who are playing the game of golf with the courtesy of financial support from the YMCA in Palo Alto. These players include Shanna ‘Uhila, Tiffany Hautau, Theresa Tenisi, Charlotte Tenisi, Mele Latu, David Tenisi and David Fetu’u.
Tiffany Hautau, a local from San Mateo receiving her prize from Tolifili Fa of Golden Horizon Mortgage The ladies competition was divided to a single flight only (teeing off from the red tees) while men were divided into 4 flights; Championship (handicap 0 to 5) teeing from the black tees, A flight (handicap 6 to 12) teeing off from the blue tees, B flight ( handicap 13 to 19) teeing off from the white tees and C flight (handicap 20 to 27) teeing off from the white tees. The championship flight competes on a gross score only while all other flights compete for net prizes, that is, the handicap was taken into consideration. There were only 4 players compete in the Championship flight namely Tony Mapu Finau, Gibber Finau, Toa Afo and Percy Harris. The outright winner of the flight and the tournament was Tony Mapu Finau, winning $500.00 after hitting a total of 137 ( -7 ) off the stick in both days. It was a marvelous sight to watch Tony hitting drives that goes more than 300 yards with ease. Tony hit a 68 on the second day even though he triple bogeyed the easy 18th hole. He could have easily hit a 65 on that day. While this result may seems spectacular, Tony insisted that this is not his best, and that he is looking forward to return next year to improve his score, and more important to defend his title.
Robyn Tu'ivakano from Tonga receiving her prize from Tolifili Fa of Golden Horizon Mortgage The prize-giving ceremony was held on the Saturday evening at the Sheraton Hotel in Sunnyvale in which it was well attended by players and various people from the Tongan community. The prizes were given out by the guest of honor; Tolifili Fa, who was acting on behalf of Maryanne Salt from the Golden Horizon Mortgage company. There were daily side prizes and main prizes for the total score for both days. Te daily side prizes for day 1 were as follows: Most Golf – Nosa Lui, Nearest to the pin in hole #3 was Fr. Paulo ‘Amato, #8 was David Tenisi, #11 was Pisila Pouanga and #14 was Paul Tu’utafaiva. Professional shot in hole #10 went to Sosefo Kafoa while hole #14 was taken by David Fetu’u. The longest putt in hole #13 was won by Vila Talanoa. The longest drive in hole #9 was taken by Tony Finau (Championship flight) , Sosefo Mailangi ( A flight) , Ngalu Fusimalohi (B flight) , Lou Barlas (C flight) , and the youngster Theresa Tenisi took the Ladies flight.
Ngalu Fusimalohi from Tonga receiving his prize from Tolifili Fa of Golden Horizon Mortgage For the Day 2 : Most Golf – Ngalu Fusimalohi, Nearest to the pin in hole #3 was Theresa Tenisi, #8 was Kali Tui, #11 was Piveni Piukala and #14 was Sela Wolfgramm. Professional shot in hole #7 went to Percy Harris while hole #14 was taken by Warner Maumasi. The longest putt in hole #13 was won by Matiu Fa. The longest drive in hole #9 was taken by Toa Afo (Championship flight), Nosa Lui (A flight), Vila Talanoa (B flight), David Groll (C flight) and Pisila Pouanga took the ladies.
Teresa Tenisi, a local from San Mateo receiving her prize from Tolifili Fa of Golden Horizon Mortgage For the main prizes, the results were as follows: Ladies Flight : 3rd prize went to Theresa Tenisi who played on a 10 handicap and scored a net of 146 but who is an amateur so the prize ($30 gift certificate) was claimed by Pisila Pouanga who played on 19, and scored a net of 153. Second prize ($200) went to Sela Wolfgramm who played on 24, and score a net of 142, and the first prize ($300) went to Robyn Kaho who played on 36 and scored a net 132. The best gross score (without the handicap considered) for the ladies went to an upcoming youngster Tiffany Hautau who claims a $100 prize for her effort.
Alvin Sika from Tonga receiving his prize from Tolifili Fa of Golden Horizon Mortgage For the C Flight : 3rd prize ( $30 gift certificate) went to Valenitino Fa’aumu who who played on 21, and scored a net of 141. Second prize ($400) went to Sailopa Toki who played on 27, and score a net of 138, and the first prize ($500) went to ‘Elia Raass who played on 27 and scored a net 135. The best gross score for the C flight went to Frank Wolfgramm who played on 20, and hit a 180 off the stick, and then claims a $300 prize for his effort. For the B Flight : 3rd prize ( $30 gift certificate) went to Johnny Rasaga who who played on 18, and scored a net of 140. Second prize ($400) went to Alvin Sika who played on 19, and score a net of 138, and the first prize ($500) went to Sione Pale who played on 19 and scored a net 137. The best gross score for the B flight went to Takitoa Taumoepeau who played on 14 and hit a 174 off the stick, and then claims a $300 prize for his effort
Takitoa Taumoepeau from Tonga receiving his prize from Tolifili Fa of Golden Horizon Mortgage For the A Flight : 3rd prize ( $30 gift certificate) went to Jay Saena, after a count back from Julius Ta’amai, who played on 12, and scored a net of 141. Second prize ($400) went to Julius Ta’amai who played on 8, and score a net of 141, and the first prize ($500) went to Loka Kanongata’a who played on 12 and scored a net 138. The best gross score for the A flight went to Piveni Piukala, who played on 7, and hit a 161 off the stick, and then claims a $300 prize for his effort.
Frank Wolfgram from San Diego receiving his prize from Tolifili Fa of Golden Horizon Mortgage For the championship flight : 2nd prize ( $30 gift certificate) went to Gibber Finau, who hit a 157 off the stick, and the 1st prize ($500) went to his older brother Tony Mapu Finau who hit a 137 off the stick. The tournament was considered to be a success by players. According to the manager of the Tongan players, Takitoa Taumoepeau, “It was definitely an enjoyable event, and more important the organization and preparation of the tournament was clearly well done”. According to Frank Wolfgramm of San Diego; “The most important thing is for the tournament to get started. I had been involved with many golf tournaments organized by the Samoans and I had been looking forward for an event like this (by Tongans) to happen. It was a joy to meet and know other Tongan golfers who participated. The executive members of the club were quite pleased to pull off this event given it is the first time. Obviously there were some short-comings but there is always a next time. The event for 2006 will definitely be better and much bigger both in the number of players but also the amount awarded for prizes. Lastly, a big thank you for Maryanne Salt and Golden Horizon Mortgage for the kind support for this inaugural event.
James Sika and Moki supporting the players from Tonga
Mr & Mrs Tenisi, Mrs Latu and the kids supporting this tournament. Click Here for more Photos of this event]
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