Golf pioneer Umba plays final course

 By ZACHERY PER and HENRY MORABANG

THE golfing fraternity in Papua New Guinea is mourning the passing of one of its longest serving amateur golfers Kundi Umba.

Umba passed away at Goroka Base Hospital after a long illness last weekend. PNG Golf Association president Stan Walker was shocked yesterday when contacted by this paper regarding the passing of the Eastern Highlander.

Walker said he not only knew the late Umba (pictured) as a talented golfer but both were good friends in times of need on and off the golf fairways. 

Walker said he was best described by the expatriate golfing community in Eastern Highlands and around the country as a “real village man golfer”.

The golf chief said he was deeply saddened to hear of the news of Umba’s untimely passing.

Umba was one of the prominent amateur golfer who had excelled in the amateur ranks, and had travelled extensively in the South Pacific and East Asia Pacific on golf tours.

From his humble beginnings playing off the nine-hole course at his favourite Fimito Golf course in Goroka, Eastern Highlands, the late Umba rose to prominence to become a regular representative for PNG teams to numerous international tournaments. 

He became the second local Papua New Guinean to win the national golf championships in 1988 since the inception of the national title in 1949. 

The first national player was Steven Bunbun in 1987.

Golfers would remember Umba well for his rare feat when he defeated Fiji’s top medal contender Vijay Singh in the 1979 South Pacific Games golf medal play-off.  

Singh after that went on to become a household name in the world golf.

Since that loss to Umba in Fiji, Vijay Singh has gone on to win 58 professional titles including three major championships and remains the second highest money winner in the history of the US PGA Tour behind none other than the great Tiger Woods.

The late Umba may well lay claim the title as one of the best ever local golfer to come out of Goroka who went on to represent Papua New Guinea on many international golfing tournaments. 

His untimely passing last Saturday has left the golfing community in the country especially Lae, Madang, Goroka and Mount Hagen shocked.

His funeral service will be held at the Goroka’sFimito Golf Club towards the end of this week where a good number of golfers are expected to attend.

Umba, from Fimito village outside Goroka, is survived by his wife and four children.

Umba’s wins and best performances

National foursomes champion 1980-81 & 1986-88; National amateur champion 1988; World amateur championships 1980; South Pacific Games 1979 Gold (defeated Vijay Singh), 1987 Silver, 1991 Gold & 1995 Silver; Putra Cup 1980-81,1985,1988, 1990-91 & 1998-99; Mini Games 1985; Ratu Mara Cup 1979; PNG vs North Qld 1994 &1998.