The Vodafone Fiji 7’s were the toast of the
world when they won Fiji’s first ever medal, and gold no less, at the Rio
Olympics.

And this week they impressed on the driving
range at the Fiji International after a surprise visit at the tournament’s junior golf
clinic.

Brand Ambassadors for the Fiji
International, Osea Kolinisau, Emosi Mulevoro
and Masivesi Dakuwaqa, even had a quick clinic of their
own with Tour Professionals Michael Long, Scott Laycock and Ben Campbell giving
the players some pointers.

Captain of the Gold Medalists, Kolinisau
said he was privileged to be involved with the Fiji International.

"I am so grateful to the Fiji International
for introducing me to the sport and making me a brand ambassador, without them
I wouldn’t have known the sport," said Osea, Captain of the gold medal Fiji
7’s. 

"I think I would have just been one of
those guys sitting on the couch watching golf from afar."

"But the Fiji International got involved
and got me to pick up a golf club and now I am falling in love with the sport."

The trio will compete in the official Fiji
International pro-am and are taking their preparations for the day extremely seriously.

"I haven’t had much time for golf after the
Olympics, we have been celebrating," added Kolinisau.

"I picked up a few lessons last week; I
think I need the practice to be ready for the pro-am."

"It was nice to get some tips from the
Professional golfers today to improve some of my golf skills."

Victorian Open champion Michael Long was
tasked with providing swing tips to Kolinisau but said the lesson was slow to
start with the sporting pair to busy asking questions about each other’s
profession.

"I wanted to ask him all the questions
about the rugby world series and the Olympics and he wants to ask about golf,
so we are getting nowhere fast at the moment," said Long.

"Coming from New Zealand I follow the
rugby. Once the New Zealand sevens were out, Fiji was the next team I wanted to
see win."

Long was impressed by Kolinisau’s talent
with a golf club believing his natural sporting ability and rugby skills set
him in good stead on the range.

"He’s a talented player in terms of the way
he kicks the ball. For him to learn to balance and follow through in his golf
swing is almost the same as kicking a rugby ball. So he’s pretty good," added
Long.

"It’s always easier to coach someone who
has a lot of natural talent and if you can relate the golf swing to what he
does you’re half way there."