Medical student back for Girmit Golf Open

Aspiring doctor and passionate golfer Raina Kumar is set on booking a spot in the national team for the Pacific Games in Tahiti, next year.

She took part in the first day of the Extra Girmit Open Golf Championship at the Fiji Golf Club in Vatuwaqa, Suva, yesterday.

“I’m very excited and this is the first trial for the Pacific Games,” she said.

“The golf course is looking good and I’ve been practicing from last week.”

Kumar’s passion for golf has driven her to try and win the tournament.

“I just want to play well,” she said.

“I haven’t been playing much the last two years but I want to improve my world ranking.”

Kumar began playing golf at the age of 10 in Nadi.

“I was in Year 4 or 5 in primary school when I started playing. I attended Nadi Airport School then got transferred to Swami Vivekananda College for my high school education.”

She is a third year medical student at the Fiji National University.

“I don’t have a lot of time to play golf as I’m always studying so I have to balance,” Kumar said.

“I come to the golf course early in the morning or late in the afternoon whenever I get time.”

Stress reliever

Kumar said she often play golf to relieve stress from her studies.

“There’s ups and downs but I’m just pushing through.

“I’ve been a member here (Fiji Golf Club) just this year.”

The 21-year-old is also a member of the Denarau and Racquet Club in Nadi for 15 years.

“I’ve taken part in the Pacific Games at Samoa in 2019. I qualified for the Pacific Games in Solomon Islands in 2023 but missed out because of my Year 13 examination dates got rescheduled.”

Kumar also participated in the Pacific Mini Games at Vanuatu in 2017 and Northern Marianas in 2022.

“I want to improve my shots as I want to be more consistent with my shots closer to the pin,” she said.

“I want to work on my overall putting and chipping so my whole game improves.”

Kumar has been spending time at the driving range to improve her shots.

“It feels good to be playing in the Girmit Open considering my ancestors were girmitiyas.”

“My advice to youths out there is to believe in themselves and they can do whatever they want if they put their mind to it with discipline.”

The competition continues today.