Pacific Games 2023: Tongan teenage golfer Alexis Vakasiuola scoops gold

Arizona-based 16 year old golfer Alexis Vakasiuola created history at the 2023 Pacific Games golf event on Saturday, winning the gold medal ahead of both New Caledonia and Tahiti.

Vakasiuola was competing at her first Pacific Games.

She won by 10 strokes to win the gold and told the Pacific Games News Service that she was excited and proud to have won a gold for Tonga.

"I feel great winning gold for my country in my first Pacific Games," she said.

"I just want to thank the people of Tonga for all their support. I miss them so much, and I love them."

Heading into Saturday's last day of competition, Vakasiuola scored a 76 on Friday and retained her position at the top in the women's individual competition with an overall score of 149.

New Caledonia's Priscilla Gracia Lormand was following her closely on 152.

Vakasiuola had her uncle and Tonga Golf Club captain Malakai Jay Vakasiuola as her candy during the event.

Malakai told RNZ Pacific the win was a great achievement and a boost for the sport in Tonga.

"Massive achievement for us," he said.

"This means so much for us, as a family, as a nation."

Malakai said Alexis has been playing golf since she was a young six year old and has competed in a number of junior golf tournaments around Arizona and surround areas.

"The gold medal marks the pinnacle of Alexis's achievements in a dominant year," he said.

The 16-year-old also won the Arizona State Junior Golf Championship at Paradise Valley Country Club in June this year and the Maricopa Junior Championship in 2022. She also took out the Junior Golf Association of Arizona Player of the Year for 2023.

She thanked her parents Taniela and Grace for their support, sisters Alyzzah and Aleyah-Grace plus Tonga's Minister of Sports Lord Vaea, the president of the Tonga Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee Michael Bloomfield and the president of the Tonag Golf Assocaition Semisi Fonua for inviting her to participate for Tonga.