INTERVIEW | VIJAY SINGH
Homecoming
Hero
After an absence of eight years, Vijay Singh returned to the islands of his birth to participate in the Fiji International, the first notable professional event to have ever been staged in the country, writes James Henderson. Photos courtesy of the Fiji International
While delighted to be back in Fiji, Singh struggled a little on the course. His two-over total in tough conditions gave him a share of 10th
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“Unfortunately most [Fijian] kids don’t have any idea what golf is and because of this it was tough learning the game. But it was still fun times, that’s how I grew up and I didn’t know any better.”
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Singh hopes to establish an academy at Natadola Bay, venue for the inaugural Fiji International 70
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s Jack Nicklaus dressed himself in Green Jacket number four and five during a golden era of Masters dominance, Augusta National and the watching world marvelled, oblivious to a young Fijian hitting coconuts for golf balls behind Nadi International Airport over 7,000 miles away. Despite being hindered by economic limitations in 1970s Fiji, the young boy from Lautoka went on to claim the game’s most prestigious honour as an unrivalled master of his craft. A swing fashioned through magazine cuttings and fatherly wisdom excelled into one of the game’s finest, conjuring three major championships and a world number one ranking. But for Vijay Singh to truly cement his Fijian legacy, handing his home country the game of golf, in its bountiful entirety, would be his finest contribution.
“Growing up I always remember struggling to afford decent golf balls so we had to make do with coconuts,” recalls Singh, who headlined the inaugural Fiji International in August. “It’s a very difficult environment for golf to grow in Fiji because from an early age the kids have the mindset of wanting to play rugby or soccer. “Unfortunately most kids don’t have any idea what golf is and because of this it was tough learning the game. But it was still fun times, that’s how I grew up and I didn’t know any better.” In returning to Fiji following an eight-year absence, Singh’s homecoming was crucial to promoting the country’s first major tournament, with his attendance drawing crowds from all corners of the island nation. “I was bumping into people who remembered me from 20 years ago but I can’t say I remembered all of them,” laughs Singh, praising his fellow islanders for coming out in their droves to witness his return. “I received an incredible reception and it was exciting to return and catch up.” Learning the game under his father’s influence and brotherly affection, a young Singh seldom imagined that 40 years on from empty airport golf ranges and makeshift wooden drivers, his homeland would host a golf tournament of international standing. Billed as the country’s largest and most HKGOLFER.COM
The course's stunning seaside locale; the rough was most certainly up (below) acclaimed sporting event, the jointly sanctioned PGA of Australasia and OneAsia event reached, according to organizers, over 400 million people across 30 nations, signalling faith in Fijian infrastructure, economy and people. Singh however hopes the Tour’s five-year commitment to hosting the Fiji International can provide the catalyst for golfing growth across the Pacific islands – evident through the tournament’s venue, the exceptional Natadola Bay golf course. “We designed the course with the aim to host a future major tournament,” says Singh, who acted as a consultant before leaving the process in 2006 with the ocean-side course still unfinished. “I’m very happy with how it’s turned out. “We wanted to create a tough but friendly course and I think the beautiful surroundings help distract you from the difficulty of it.” Recalling fond memories of his golfing enthusiast father, who still plays the game aged 80, Singh followed on the coattails of his brothers by adopting the game as his first sport, shunning the advances of rugby and soccer for brotherly competition and family togetherness. But for the Big Fijian, when it comes to golfing success, he drastically remains the exception, rather than the rule. Growing at a steady pace throughout the 20th century, plans to develop the game in a commercial and all-encompassing manner has largely proved successful for the travelling tourists, but on Fijian shores the next ‘Vijay Singh’ remains buried below a golf-shy populous. “Introducing a caddie program would be a great way to involve more children in the game, while earning a bit of money and learning the sport,” adds Singh, who stills harbours hope of one day opening an academy at Natadola Bay. “That’s how to build up a strong foundation for 72
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kids to play golf as there are many opportunities in the country. “For a lot of kids, if you educate them in the correct way they have the potential to become very good golfers. They have the physique and are athletes from a very young age.” Florida-based Singh reflects that golf in Fiji “is very much like golf in the US”, in that unless youngsters are embedded in programmes and understand the game they will continue to be lured by the bright lights of flagship sports such as American Football, baseball, basketball and soccer. “There’s a lot more young Fijian golfers coming through the ranks but unfortunately they don’t have a chance to play,” adds Singh, who sighs as he questions why a young Fijian would even contemplate picking up a golf club. “Alongside junior initiatives youngsters need facilities where they can go practice and actually learn how to play the game.” Emerging as a big fish in a small Fijian pond, three major victories and 58 international titles worldwide may merit legendary status, but for 51-year-old Singh, embarking on the twilight of his career, aiding the growth of the game will be sure to stand the test of time, time that an evolving Fiji now has on its side. HKGOLFER.COM