Queen Victoria School old scholar Penisoni Gauna is calling on old boys to join them in the annual Druavesi shield at the Fiji Golf Club in Suva next year.

“Majority of us here, are from the Classes of the 1980s and 1990s, more young old scholars should start planning to join in the annual golf event and it is a good platform to rekindle the objective of this event,” Gauna said.

The annual competition has been running for more than three decades.

Former Commander of the Fiji Military Forces Viliame Naupoto and former Reserve Bank of Fiji Governor Savenaca Narube were among the QVSOB’s teeing off at the Suva green yesterday.

Former Prime Minister and old scholar Sitiveni Rabuka was in Vanua Levu.

“The Druavesi Shield started with the patronage of Sitiveni Rabuka, when he was Prime Minister,” he said.

“It was an association of QVSOB golfers who played the game in their leisure and they decided to have it as an old boys competition – to be between the school houses.

“It has been held every year either in Suva or Nadi except the last two years.

“We are trying to get the young old scholars. It is a pity that a lot of old scholars do not take up the game as leisure.

“We came up with it following the colonial system with cricket, golf and those minor sports as favourite sports activities but today it’s only rugby.

“We would like to go back to the school to revive golf,” Gauna added.

Gauna was grateful that the weather was in their favour; he acknowledged the more than expected turnout and Pacific Energy’s sponsorship.

“The turnout has been good this year compared to the previous years. We had old scholars travelling as far as Nadi and Labasa.

“We thank the Adi Cakobau School Old Girls, Suva Grammar School Old Scholars, Marist Old Boys and exLabasa College for supporting this event.”

As per tournament tradition the oldest OB Dr Tukaha Mua is expected to deliver a speech at the awards dinner ceremony last night on the Druavesi shield and its memory.

Results were not ready when this edition went to press.

Story By: karalaini.waqanidrola@fijisun.com.fj