FRANCO Santos and Flor Jones are in the lead in the current tryouts for the NMI national golf team that will compete in the 2023 Pacific Games. They topped their respective divisions during the first tryout event on Saturday at Laolao Bay Golf & Resort east course.
In the men's division, consistency was the key to Santos' game.
On the front nine, he started strong with a birdie on hole #2. Despite making a bogey on the following hole, he finished the remaining holes with six consecutive pars to end with a gross score of 36.
The back nine proved to be the tougher half of the course as Santos made more bogeys. But he also sank birdies on holes #10, #17 and #18 to end with another gross score of 36. He leads the competition with a total gross score of 72.
In second place is Zhi Yun Li, who performed steadily throughout the 18 holes. He shot one birdie and has a gross total of 75.
In third, fourth and fifth places are JJ Atalig, 76; Joe Sasamoto, 77; and Joe “Kamikaze” Camacho, 81.
Women’s division
In the women's division, only Flor Jones competed and closed the east course with a gross total of 89.
Q&A
Asked why he wants to be part of the NMI team, Franco Santos said: “During the Pacific Mini Games 2022 hosted by the NMI, I played decent enough to help our team bring home a bronze medal. I think my game has sharpened up and I’ve a chance to bring home another medal.”
As for day 1 of the current tryouts, Santos said his favorite hole was #18. “My shot was pulled left and landed in the bunker. I hit my second shot to the center of the fairway exactly 150 yards to the pin, took out my pitching wedge and told my cart partner that I will hit a small draw, and stuck it three feet to the hole to make an easy birdie. It was the most adventurous hole that day.”
Santos said his “mental game, ball striking, and putting were on point that day. I wouldn't have it any other way!”
As for the NMI team’s chances in the 2023 Pacific Games, he said: “I think that with all the time that all our golfers are putting into this game, we have a very high chance of bringing home the gold.”
