Faith Vui, an 18-year-old Latter-day Saint from Apia, Samoa, recently made history in the golf world by becoming the first Samoan to win the New Zealand Women’s Amateur Championship. 

With her father and coach, Garry Vui, as her caddy, Faith Vui claimed the title after winning the 36-hole final at the Hamilton Golf Club St. Andrews Course on Nov. 5.

While on the golf course for the competition, Faith Vui said, she remembered a scripture from Isaiah 41:10: “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee, yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” 

She told the Church’s Pacific Newsroom that “it reminded me that my Heavenly Father was with me every shot along the way.” 

Faith Vui, an 18-year-old Latter-day Saint from Apia, Samoa, holds up a trophy after winning the New Zealand Women’s Amateur Golf Championship in Hamilton, New Zealand, Nov. 5, 2023.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

In an interview with Radio New Zealand on Nov. 7, Faith Vui explained that she practices every day except Sunday because that is the day her family attends church.

The 18-year-old grew up around golf and watching her father coach her older brothers. At the age of 10, she “found a passion and love for it,” she said.

Faith Vui and her brother Leo Vui, who is a year older than she is, practice six days a week at Royal Samoa, their home club.

“I just love being outside, and I just love the emotions that come with it, and I love that I can play with my family — my brothers and my dad. I kind of feel like I have a skill for it, so I really want to go as far as I can with it. But I love the game. It just brings so much joy to me,” she said.

Winning the New Zealand event was a stepping stone towards her dream of being the first Samoan to play on Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) tour, she said. 

With limited competitions in Samoa and only two golf courses on Upolu — the main island of Samoa — her parents have helped her travel for international tournaments since she was 12.  

Faith Vui expressed gratitude for her mother, Almyra Mosiula, who sacrifices for her and encourages Faith’s testimony. Almyra Mosiula said she hopes that Faith’s story will help other youth know that with “hard work and trust, our Father in Heaven always has a plan for their lives.” 

Following the tournament, Faith Vui told the Church’s Pacific Newsroom, “I am grateful each day for the gospel in my life, grateful to my Father in Heaven for His will that week [of the tournament,] grateful for the love that He has for me and my family, grateful for all the opportunities He gives me and my brother, and grateful for His plan for my life.” 

On Nov. 19, Faith Vui was the flag bearer for Samoa at the Pacific Games in Honiara, Solomon Islands, happening through Dec. 2.