Organizers set limits to 30 golfers

Organizers of the open tryout for the CNMI men’s national golf team is advising interested individuals joining this Saturday’s event at the Coral Ocean Point Golf Resort to register early.

Check-in time for the one-day event is at 10am, while shotgun starts 11am. The open tryout will follow a gross play format for 18 rounds.

Ed Peters, a member of the Refaluwasch Golf Association, said they will limit the number of golfers to 30 due to the tight schedule at COP.

“We already talked to the people at COP and they are willing to host the tryout at the golf course. We’re ready for Saturday and I’m wishing all those who will join to give their best since there are only four slots on the team,” said Peters.

“Everybody must work doubly hard to secure a spot on the national team that will compete in the Pacific Games,” added Peters, who expressed interest for the coaching post of the four-member men’s squad.

The 2015 Pacific Games is set from July 4 to 18 in Papua New Guinea with the Royal Port Moresby Golf Club in the National Capital District in Port Moresby hosting the event.

The Games Organizing Committee has yet to release the final schedule of the events, but golf will be played for four days with two days of practice rounds for all teams. A total of 12 medals will be at stake in the men’s and women’s singles, and the men’s and women’s team events.

RGA is spearheading the tryout through the efforts of Northern Marianas Sports Association executive director Tony Rogolifoi.

Rogolifoi, in an earlier interview, said that he already informed NMSA president Michael White about the CNMI golf team competing in PNG.

“They need to finalize the roster due to time constraints. The team will only have less than six months to practice and prepare for the Pacific Games. We need to go and compete otherwise we will pay a $1,000 fine to the Pacific Games Council.”

The fine is slapped to teams that initially confirmed to participate, but will pull out at the last minute.

A $100 fee will be collected at the tryouts and after deducting the green fee, the remaining money will serve as start-up fund for the team.

“This will be the seed money of the team. We need to assign someone who will act as caretaker of the money, which will be used to fund the team’s trip to Papua New Guinea.

Meanwhile, veteran CNMI golfer J.J. Atalig has asked Rogolifoi if NMSA could write a letter to all golf course managers or owners to allow the team that will be formed to practice in their golf course.

“Hopefully the golf courses on Saipan would accommodate the team and give them the chance to practice. They have no idea yet about the layout of the course in Papua New Guinea,” said Atalig.

“Hopefully, the team will comeback with medals around their necks.”

New Caledonia dominated the 2011 competition in Noumea, sweeping all four gold medals—men’s and women’s singles, and team events—and added two silver and one bronze to its stock.