The South Pacific Open Championship presents a big
opportunity for Tour Professionals but also for the game of golf in New
Caledonia.

Starting as a pro-am in 2009, the South Pacific Open
Championship officially joined the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia in 2011
and in six short years has become a favourite amongst the players.

"The hardest part was to get the PGA to come to New
Caledonia to begin with. But once they were in Noumea and saw the course, our
facilities and how we run the event it was easy," said Patrick Koch, tournament
promoter and a driving force behind the South Pacific Open Championship.

"I think the hospitality during the week is an important
part of the tournament, it helps to build the friendship between the players
and New Caledonia."

"People in Noumea love this tournament because it is unique
for us. It is the only time of the year that good players from Australia and
New Zealand come to play. The public really like the friendly players like last
year’s champion James Nitties."

More than just a fun week, the South Pacific Open
Championship provides a huge opportunity for the champion.

Along with the winner’s prize cheque, the champion receives
Official World Golf Ranking points and full exemption on the ISPS HANDA PGA
Tour of Australasia until the end of the 2017 season. 

"For the players, it presents a good opportunity as we have
a smaller field than most Tour events," added Koch.

"Players can come here for a week, it can be like a little
holiday, but it can also be a good week for their career. That’s why we have a
lot of young players come over."

"The first win is always the hardest. But if you manage to
come here and win it can create opportunities, Matt Griffin who won in 2011 is
a good example. He has won five more times around the world since then and
plays full time on the Japan Tour," added Koch, who, like all the Tina Golf
Course members, enjoys watching players from the South Pacific Open go onto
play overseas.

 "Cameron Smith is another
great example. He came to Noumea and finished runner-up and the leading amateur
and now he plays on the PGA TOUR."

"We would love to see our competitors go onto big things,
like Cameron. He played in The Masters but Tina Golf Course members can say he
played here first." ­

Just as the South Pacific Open Championship creates
opportunities for the visiting Professionals, it also provides the local
players a unique opportunity.

"It’s an exclusive opportunity to be able to play on the PGA
Tour of Australasia, it’s very hard for amateurs to get starts in PGA Tour of
Australasia tournaments. But here we have 20 local amateurs competing," added
Koch.

"To be able to play with the best Pros in the Pacific is a
great opportunity and they are playing without stress which is why we see some
of the amateurs doing well."

One New Caledonian to be succeeding on the world stage is,
Paul Barjon who yesterday won the last tournament of the season on the
MacKenzie Tour – Canada.

"I was talking with Paul on the phone last week and he said
if he missed the cut he would try to play this week. But I never wanted him to
miss a cut," added Koch.

"We are very lucky to now have a New Caledonian player
winning on the PGA TOUR Canada, so hopefully that is the start of a good week
and we have a local winning the South Pacific Open."

The South
Pacific Open Championship tees off on Wednesday 21 September with the champion
to be decided on Saturday 24 September. Played for $140,000 the South Pacific
Open Championship also attracts Official World Golf Ranking points.