Golf team eyes gold in Pacific Games

No less than taking home the gold medal is the CNMI National Golf Team’s goal in this coming 2023 Pacific Games in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

Making up the team, which was determined following five tryouts, are Franco Santos, Joe “Kamikaze” Camacho, Joe Sasamoto, Ben Jones Jr., Marco Peter, Kaegel Taitano (alternate), and Pacific Mini Games reigning women’s gold medalist Zhi Min Jin.

Taitano, who’s been designated the team’s coach, said their goal as a team is to bring home the gold medal.

He said the national golf team plans to achieve this by conducting quality practice sessions and helping each other with their weaknesses.

“This will allow us to maximize our potential to perform the best way we can when it comes to game day. The dedication and chemistry in this team are outstanding and can’t elaborate enough on the camaraderie amongst the selected individuals,” said the 30-year-old police officer.

Santos, who topped the tryouts with a score of 220, is making his second consecutive stint as part of the national golf team.

“For me, it is such a great opportunity to have made the team again but now on a bigger stage. I’ve worked hard to get my golf game to where it is right now and it seems to be at its best. My goal for the Games is to work with the team to bring back a medal and hopefully it’s gold. I would like to thank my family for always being there when times were hard and always supporting me since Day 1 when I got into this sport,” said the 31-year-old finance manager of the Marianas Alliance of Non-Governmental Organizations, Inc.

Camacho, the 62-year-old golf pro at Laolao Bay Golf & Resort, said the team’s goal heading into the Pacific Games is to effectively mesh together.

“Our goal is to work and play as a team like it should be because if we can’t work as one then there is no team. We need to start building our chemistry as a team and build a strong relationship among ourselves so that everyone is equal. I’m proud to be standing alongside these guys who I can call teammates,” said Camacho who came away with a 223 in the qualifiers.

His cousin, Sasomoto, meanwhile, is ecstatic to finally make the national golf team after firing a 229 in the tryouts.

“Last year I tried to make the team for the Mini Games here on Saipan, but failed to do so and that was emotionally very difficult. I’ve been to a few of these Games in the past and there is no better feeling than to represent your island. First of I want to congratulate all the other players who made the team and I’m looking forward to our journey as we represent the CNMI in the Pacific Games. I’m honored, blessed, and fortunate to have made the team and looking forward to the trip to the Solomon Islands alongside my teammates!” said the 60-year-old son of Jose A. Sasamoto, known as the father of golf on Saipan.

Jones, who clubbed a 246 to make the team, first and foremost thanked God for finally giving him a chance to represent the CNMI in golf.

“My main goal right now is to put in more time and commitment to this sport. I need to work with the rest of the team members to figure out what I can improve on as they have more experience competing in this sport at that level. When we head to the Games, I will give my best to represent the CNMI. I’ve represented the CNMI in other sports, but this is going to be my toughest challenge yet as it really comes down to your own performance. I also want to give thanks to my wife and kids for supporting me throughout the year in my efforts to do better in this game,” said the 37-year-old. Kagman High School principal and former CNMI national baseball team mainstay.

Peter, who served as the chairman of the 2022 Northern Marianas Pacific Mini Games Organizing Committee, said it’s always an honor to represent the CNMI in any sporting event after shooting a 247 in the qualifiers.

“The ultimate goal is to strive for a medal, but along the way we form a bond with the team and create lasting friendships with other participating countries throughout the Games, which is most important,” he said.

The rose among the thorns, Jin, said she’s looking forward to again represent the CNMI in the quadrennial event in the Solomon Islands.

“I’m really honored to represent Team NMI once again. I love the team I’m a part of, great players and great people. As of now, I’m just trying my best to average on the 70s before the Games. My goal in the Games is just to perform my best… I’m just grateful that they gave me a chance to be a part of the team,” said the 16-year-old Marianas High School student, who shot a 241 in the tryouts.

Taitano, for his part, said he’s “humbled and honored for the opportunity” to be a part of the CNMI National Golf Team.

“Most especially being able to represent the CNMI alongside these fine athletes who have the love and passion for the game of golf. We have a really strong team put together so I’m pretty confident that we are able to perform well, give it our best, and go for great outcome,” he said after coming up with a 250 in the tryouts, which took the two lowest scores of the five tryouts including the “walking tournament” in the final round that outlawed the use of golf carts last Sept. 30.

And speaking of the “walking tournament,” Franco took the No. 1 spot in the tryout after carding a 72 (37-35), followed by Sasamoto (38-35) and Jones’ 73 (35-38), Camacho’s 75 (37-38), Peter’s 77 (39-38), Jin’s 78 (40-38), and Taitano’s 90 (45-45)

As coach, Taitano thanked Laolao Bay Golf & Resort, its management, and staff for “giving us the opportunity to utilize their premier golf course and facilities and hosting the tryouts and practice sessions. We are grateful for their continuous support for this team and our golfing community.”