Macaranas qualifies for US Kids World Championship

U.S.-based local golf prodigy R.J. Macaranas made the CNMI proud again by qualifying for the 2008 U.S. Kids World Championship set for July 28 and 29 in Pinehurst, N.C.

Macarans is the son of Richard and Becky Macaranas of Saipan

According to Richard, his nine-year-old son is excited about playing at Pinehurst, the host of the 2005 U.S. Open Championship.

Richard said that event saw New Zealander Michael Campbell win the National Championship with a score of even par.

He added that the resort also became a part of American golf history when Payne Stewart captured the title in 1999. Stewart’s 15-foot putt on the final hole secured his second U.S. Open title and marked one of the most dramatic and memorable moments in U.S. Open history. Pinehurst is also the site of this year’s U.S. Amateur.

Aside from qualifying for the 2008 U.S. Kids World Championship, the younger Macaranas also did well on the Golf Channel’s Drive, Chip, and Putt.

According to Richard, R.J. drove the ball 250 yards and scored the best possible score in putting, earning him two medals for driving and putting.

During Golf Channel’s Drive, Chip, and Putt, R.J. said he was a bit conscious of all the attention he was getting.

“When I practice people stare at me, like when I hit high lob shots, or smash balls with my driver. They never believe that I can beat them.”

R.J. also admitted that out of the thousands of hours practicing the gentleman’s game, his favorite sessions are the ones with his dad playing “9 holes.”

“We play ‘9 holes’ on the putting green. We begin by playing a hole three times at different lengths five steps, 10 steps, and 15 steps away. They are par 2s, so the first putt is always for birdie. My average is about even par, and my best score is 5-under par.

I’m learning that this game is not as easy as you think. I listen to my dad’s instructions, and continue hitting the ball the way I think I’m taught to hit it, but it takes a lot of time to see what’s the difference.”

R.J. recently took part in the O’Donnell Junior Championship in Palm Springs, the Junior World Qualifier in Alhambra, and the L.A. County Diamond Bar Championship in Diamond Bar. He is set to play in the L.A. County 53rd Len Kennett Junior Championship this morning.

Last year, Macaranas missed the final two rounds of the 2007 Callaway Junior Golf Tournament after scoring a 16-over par 74 in the first round and a 12-over par 70 in the second round. He missed the cut by 15 strokes.