Mom is Liu’s lucky charm

China’s Changfeng Liu brought with him a lucky charm to top the inaugural Marianas International Cup 2017.

Liu was named the overall champion of the weekend competition held at the Kingfisher Golf Links and Laolao Bay Golf & Resort and was surprised with his victory as he and his mom, Lady Guo, came to Saipan just for a vacation and to celebrate her 72nd birthday yesterday.

“It’s my mother’s birthday (today). I planned this trip as a birthday gift. I guess, I just got lucky or my mom turned out to be my lucky charm,” said Liu, still with a surprised smile on his face while his mother was grinning from ear to ear after receiving his prizes.

The Shanghai native had a gross score of 89 at the Kingfisher Golf Links last Saturday and 92 on the east course of the Laolao Bay Golf & Resort in yesterday’s final round to rule the double peoria tournament. Liu, the Commodities Division regional manager and deputy regional manager of research and investing firm Trammo (Shanghai) Trading Co. Ltd., finished with net scores of 77 and 68 for a 145 total, beating more than 100 other golfers from China, Japan, Korea, and host the CNMI.

Although there were some winds and a little bit of rain on both days of the tournament at the different venues, the 41-year-old old Liu said he found Laolao east more challenging especially with the scenic ocean views. “It has beautiful sceneries. The ocean is very relaxing so I was distracted by the view. But I focused more in the game.”

“The greens, however, are fast so I practiced caution with my approach. The winds were not that strong but I was also careful with it. I studied each hole before teeing off so I won’t encounter any problems with my shots,” added Liu, who started playing golf five years ago.

He thanked the organizers and everyone on Saipan for the warm welcome they showed to him and the other visiting golfers that came to the island with their families and friends.

“Saipan is a wonderful place. This is my first time and I would tell my friends [in China] about this place. It is an exciting place to visit with all the hospitality shown by the people aside from the world class golf courses.”

Former Australian golf pros Graham Marsh and Greg Norman each designed the Kingfisher and Laolao Bay golf courses.

Liu won $500, a round-trip airfare for two to Saipan, and a free four-night stay at one of the Grand Ocean Suites of Imperial Pacific Resort Hotel-Saipan that is set to open in the third quarter of next year.

Meanwhile, the Top 3 finishers in each country and the Top 3 winners in the men’s and women’s low gross will be reported in Saipan Tribune’s Tuesday edition.