Wabol arrived earlier this week after finishing 18th in the mini games’ golf event in Rarotonga, Cook Islands.
Besting half of the 32 Pacific ace golfers in the men’s individual golf championship was not at all bad considering that it was a very competitive tournament in a course he teed off for the first time against host golfers who have been playing there ever since.
In an interview yesterday, Wabol said he encourages NMI’s young golfers to start preparing themselves for the 2011 Pacific Mini Games that will be held in New Caledonia.
Wabol who won the fifth place during the 2001 Mini Games in Northfolk Islands said he believes NMI’s junior golfers if they just continue to strive can have the edge in future off-island golf tournaments.
Although he is somehow satisfied with his feat in this year’s Mini Games, he believed he could have done better since his grosses in all the four rounds reflected consistency. He shot a total of 300 gross from Round 1 to 4, besting 14 golfers other golfers from participating Pacific countries.
From 77 during Round 1 and 75 in Round in the 36 holes, Wabol improved to 74 in Round 3 and 4. He started slow in the first three and four holes but always picking up in the back nines.
Cook Island’s Kirk Tuaiti who shot the lowest gross of 65 during the third round finished with a total of 278 in all four rounds to win the gold medal.
Patrick Fepulai of Samoa tied with Sonny Karati of Cook Island but the Samoan golfer won the silver medal on first playoff hole.
Wabol trailed Fiji’s Roneel Prakash who tied with Cook Island’s James Herman in 299 total gross.
“Of course home teams always have the advantage. They had been playing in the course ever since,” Wabol said, adding that aside from cold weather the greens are tough, very much different from those here on Saipan.
