Two golfers turn pro

TWO Papua New Guinean golfers have made it into the professional rankings in the country after meeting the criteria for the professional golf ranks.
The current top two amateur golfers in the country – Robert Peni from Ralum Golf club in East New Britain province and Nelson Gabriel from Port Moresby Golf Club – have teamed up with David Yere and August Peni from the Professional Golf Affiliates of the Papua New Guinea Golf Association.
The induction of the two would now see PNG having four professional native golfers for the first time in the history of golf.
Another golfer, Lucas Bimbo, is not included in the list although he has played as a professional in various tournaments locally and overseas.
The president of Papua New Guinea Golf Association Stan Walker said the association was pleased to announce the creation of a professional division in the PNG Golf Association.
He said it was voted by a majority of member clubs and executive committee members and the professional division came into effective immediately last Feb 2.
Walker  called on the newly elevated members of the team to live up to the requirements of the pros challenging to them to make use of the opportunities they would get to make a living for themselves through the sport.
It was a dream come true for Gabriel, who started his career in Madang and has aspired to become a professional golfer ever since he started playing.
“I’ve always had a big dream of one day becoming a professional golfer and competing at big events and this is a dream come true for me,” Gabriel said
With that dream finally realised yesterday at the induction there is no looking back.
Gabriel and Peni have plans to begin competing for lucrative purses on the regional and domestic front.
Walker said it was encouraging to see Papua New Guineans golfers graduate to the professional level of the sport, the pros, and the PNGGA through its recently established professional division would continue to give opportunities for golfers in the country.