Saipan Tribune

Friday, May 24, 2013

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Pacific Games golf trials start March 9

The qualifying golf tournaments for the 2015 Pacific Games will begin on March 9 at Coral Ocean Point.

Coordinator Jess Wabol said the five-leg qualifiers are open to players from all golf associations in the CNMI.

“We are hoping to get as many golfers as we can, as the qualifiers will also serve as fundraisers for the CNMI Team that will compete in the 2015 Pacific Games,” said Wabol, adding that each player will be asked to pay a $10 tournament fee in every qualifier.

The 2015 Pacific Games will be held in Papua New Guinea from July 4 to 18 and Wabol said they are looking to have five to six players on the CNMI Golf Team.

“You need at least four players to compete in the team event and we may get a maximum of six players, depending on the availability of funds. We will also be doing other fundraisers in the next two years, as we don't know if there will be financial assistance coming from the government,” Wabol said.

Check-in time for the first leg of the qualifiers is set for 10am, while tee off is at 11am. The next two legs will then be held on the west and east courses of the Laolao Bay Golf Resort, while the fourth and fifth will take place at the Kingfisher Golf Links and Marianas Country Club, respectively. Dates for the last four qualifiers will be announced later.

Scores will be compiled after the five qualifying tournament to determine the rankings of the players and select the members of the CNMI Team.

The Commonwealth competed in the golf event of the 2011 Pacific Games in New Caledonia, but only joined the singles tournament, as Wabol sustained a back injury during a practice round, leaving the CNMI Team with only three players in Jeff Taylor, Adam Hardwicke, and Tony Satur.