"Solve the Impasse"

MAIKA KASAMI
Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Fiji still has potential for investors: Singh

FIJI's Vijay Singh (Pictured) has distanced himself from the current political impasse rocking Fiji.

But the former world number one golf player who toppled Tiger Woods last year has taken an anti-political stance during his tour of the country.

He arrived yesterday morning for check on progress of works on his multi-million dollar Natadola Golf Course. Singh uttered little about the political storm affecting his mother land when facing the press in Nadi yesterday.

"I don't want to get myself involved into it but I think they can solve it themselves," Singh said.

He added "it's not right for me to say who is right and who is wrong. I'm here to continue my dream that I've had since I was a young boy - to design a golf course in my home land," he added.

Singh, who began his golfing career by being a caddy at the Nadi Airport Golf Club in the early 1980s before leaving for the United States said Fiji, through its diverse cultural background and renowned hospitality in the tourism front, still has the capability to drag itself out from the current rough patches of leadership in the country and maintain its status in the world as 'the way the world should be'.

He said he was happy to be back home after hectic seasons of international golf.

"The golf course is shaping up pretty well since the last time I came here. There are a few hiccups here and there but it's nothing that we can't handle. The terrain is looking more and more like a golf course since the last time I saw it. I'm putting all my heart into it and that's the best I can do," Singh added.

Singh said he has designed the golf course to be a difficult one but playable at the same time.

He is aiming to begin the new season on a high note after failing miserably and encountering one of his worst seasons so far this year.

"I have a month left to work on my fitness. I want to start off the season strongly and to accomplish it I have been doing my physical training and practising really hard. I've also been focusing on my mental side to get me on track even when the chips are down," he said.

Singh said he still has about 5-6 years left in him to play top level golf and is currently focusing on playing at the PGA Tour and he knows he has the ability to get back to the top.

But at 43, Singh is still not satisfied with a career that has brought him nearly $49 million in official PGA Tour earnings and more than 50 worldwide victories in 15 countries. All 29 of his Tour victories have come since he turned 30. Seventeen have come since he turned 40, tying him with Sam Snead for most wins post-40.

He returns to his home in Sacremento, United States tomorrow and will be back in the second week of January after playing two tournaments in Hawaii.

Singh expects the first tee-off at the Natadola Golf and Ocean Club in December 2007.

Source: The Daily Post