Homecoming Hero

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 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.