Next Generation of Golfers Shine at Rotary's Annual Golf Tournament

The fairways at Ili'ili Golf Course welcomed a new generation of players on Saturday, Feb. 28, as a group of young ladies from the Junior Golf Association of American Samoa stepped into their first taste of tournament play during the Rotary Club of Pago Pago's Annual Golf Tournament.

Junior golfers and their families gather on the fairway during the Rotary Club of Pago Pago Annual Golf Tournament, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. Front row, from left: Kendall Fe'a, Tusi Vaouli, La Poasa, Char MacKenzie, Daenerys Vitolio, and Sai Vaouli. Back row: Niko Fe'a and junior golf coach John Mitchell.

For most of the young athletes, it was their first time competing in a tournament. You wouldn't have known it.

The junior golfers were paired with parents and relatives who joined them as playing partners in a two-person team format, allowing the young players to experience the rhythm and strategy of tournament golf alongside family members. Junior golf coach John Mitchell also partnered with one of the junior golfers while offering encouragement and guidance to the entire group throughout the round, helping the players learn how to navigate the course while enjoying the experience.

 Leo Golfer Aggie MacKenzie, far left, with cousin Lariana Vitolio and uncle Brian Vitolio at the Rotary Club of Pago Pago Annual Golf Tournament, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. Brian teamed with Aggie and Lariana for the girls' first tournament experience.

Two of the participants, sisters Char and Aggie MacKenzie, brought an extra layer of community pride to the day. Both students at South Pacific Academy, the pair competed on behalf of the school's Leo Club — the youth arm of the Lions Club of Pago Pago — which sponsored their participation in the tournament. Their presence highlighted both importance of youth in community events and a meaningful partnership between Rotary, Lions, the Junior Golf Association, and the broader community, with parents and relatives stepping in as playing partners to support the girls during their first tournament experience. Many of the adults already had their own paid teams in the tournament but were eager to partner with the young golfers, making the day a true blend of service, mentorship and family involvement.

Lion Leo Char MacKenzie and her aunt La Poasa share a moment during their round at the Rotary Club of Pago Pago Annual Golf Tournament, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026.

Char teamed up with her aunt La Poasa, navigating the course together. Aggie MacKenzie and cousin Lariana Vitolio played alongside Lariana's father, Brian Vitolio, forming the only three-person team in the tournament as the girls embraced the challenge of their first competitive round.

Char MacKenzie drives down the fairway as Daenerys Vitolio looks on during the Rotary Club of Pago Pago Annual Golf Tournament, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. Both were competing in their first golf tournament.

Fellow junior golfers Daenerys Vitolio, Kendall Fe'a, and Tusi Vaouli also had an impressive showing on the course. Daenerys partnered with Coach Mitchell, while Kendall teamed up with her father, Niko Fe'a. Tusi played alongside her father, Sai Vaouli, as each young golfer competed with the support and guidance of a trusted partner. The family pairings turned the tournament into both a friendly competition and a valuable learning experience.

Junior golfers wrap up a memorable day at the Rotary Club of Pago Pago Annual Golf Tournament, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. Pictured with coach John Mitchell, from left: Lariana Vitolio, Aggie MacKenzie, Char MacKenzie, coach John Mitchell, Kendall Fe'a, and Tusi Vaouli.

The Rotary Club of Pago Pago's Annual Golf Tournament raises funds that support community service projects throughout the year. That these young athletes were able to take part reflects the very spirit of the tournament, bringing the community together while encouraging the next generation of golfers.

The future of golf in American Samoa is looking bright!

Photos and commentary courtesy of a very proud Auntie La Poasa.