Ipo happy with Sol2023 Golf Competition at the Honiara Golf Club
By Taromane Martin
SOL2023 Pacific Games Golf competition coordinator, John Ipo is pleased to see Golfers from around the Pacific enjoying themselves during the four days of competitions at the Honiara Golf Club.
The Golf competitions for men and women ended on Saturday. Ipo is one of seven GOC appointed local sports coordinators, who have successfully completed their competitions at the 2023 Pacific Games in Honiara.
Ipo said it has been a tough competition but he is happy to see all the golfers enjoying the tournament.
“Basically, I’m responsible for coordinating logistics for the 2023 Pacific Games golf competition, that is making sure the competition runs smoothly. Technical side of it, officials from New Zealand are doing that,” Ipo told SIBC Sports.
“I’ve really enjoyed watching the competitions which attracted about 70 players, 38 men and 31 women. The standard of competition was very high and because of the trees, the course itself was a bit challenging for some of the players,” he stated.
Golfers heading for the eighth hole during final day of golf competitions on Saturday.
Looking at our golfers, Ipo said they were really good, however their levels were just below the playing standards of the other main countries.
“But yes, the competition was tough. New Caledonia looks good and Papua New Guinea men’s and women’s teams are also pretty good in this competition.
“It’s good to see everyone enjoying the competition, both men and women. Everyone are happy and feel at home. Despite the challenging course everyone is happy and enjoying the themselves and I’ve enjoyed watching their excitement and joy during the competition.
“I enjoyed the week and I’m really enjoying the Pacific Games here at home,” he said.
Ipo also wished the rest of the Team Solomon athletes who will start their competition in the second week of the 2023 Pacific Games, the best of luck for their competitions.
At the end of the 2023 Pacific Games competition, Tonga’s Alxis Vakasiuola won the women’s individual gold medal, Prizcilla Gracia Lormand of New Caledonia scooped silver while Tahiti’s Kirra St Laurent settled for bronze.
Individual male golf gold medal went to New Caledonia’s Guillaume Castagne, silver to Papua New Guinea’s oseph Morga Annato and bronze to New Caledonia’s Hugo Denis.
Meanwhile, the gold team event gold medal for men’s goes to New Caledonia, silver to Papua New Guinea and bronze medal to Samoa.
Women’s team gold medal went to New Caledonia, silver to Papua New Guinea and bronze to Samoa.
Solomon Islands finished fourth for the women’s and sixth for the men’s competitions. –ENDS//