It never slipped off RJ’s mind that it was on Valentines Day he was making a very remarkable moment of his life.
“I enjoyed that round so much because it was on Valentines Day, I pledged my entourage each birdie to them. I even painted a giant red heart on my golf ball which I will keep as a souvenir,” the 2009 PGA Junior Tour, Cherry Bowl champion would say after completing his first major victory in 2010.
Equipped with a big heart to win and share, RJ swung from 300 yards over a greenside bunker. The ball landed at 45’ and rolled 8’ to the final hole, then, he sank the 8’ birdie putt to finish 1-over par 73 winning the third place by one stroke.
That was just among the many Valentines gifts he just shared to his entourage.
By dedicating his first birdie putt in the 137-yard Hole No. 4 as Valentines gift to his mom, RJ actually put up the theme of event—turning every birdie into a Valentines gift to loved ones.
RJ came up with two more “Valentines gift” in the 437-yard Hole No. 5 and 441-yard Hole No. 6. He drove 225 yards against the wind and made 5’ birdie putt in No. 5. Using 9 iron following a 290 yards shot in Hole 6, RJ was aiming for 15’ eagle. He missed but still had the Valentines gift to the next beloved one as he sank a birdie from a 1’ putt.
RJ bogeyed in the next two holes but stayed strong to finish the front nine, par 36.
In the back nine, RJ got two Valentines gifts again for the next two members of his entourage. It was a 17’ birdie putt in Hole 12 and 4’ birdie putt in Hole 13, both over 300 yards.
Facing the second the last hole, he prayed to grandpa and great grand mom to finish better.
The prayers were answered. Right away.
After making par putt in Hole 17, RJ struck for the final hole and completed six birdies in his winning round to cap a very memorable and Valentines Day.
“I signed and submitted my scorecard and as I saw my name on the top of the leaders’ board for the club house lead, everyone was amazed at my low score,” RJ recounts.
Waiting for the last two groups to finish their round, RJ needed the final group to score in the 80’s. However, Charles Reiter from Palm Desert, and Bryan Teoh Wiyang from Penang scored a 75 and a 78.
“I received a “world” championship trophy, which is actually a miniature glass earthly replica. I remember saying where Saipan is on the trophy,” RJ said.
Great achievements in 2009
Representing CNMI in the junior golf world championship, RJ had great achievements last year.
During the US Kids Golf World Championship in Pinehurst North Carolina in August 2009, he shot 1-under par in the final round of the 56-hole event, and made it in the top 10 of the 10 years old division, in a field size of 149 of the best 10 year old junior golfers in the world.
RJ was among the junior golfers who were presented by Callaway Golf the PGA Junior Tour award, for “exceptional ability and extraordinary play throughout the 2009 season,” during the 2009 Banquet of Champions held at the spectacular Tustin Ranch Golf Club in Irvine, CA. last month.
According to the PGA, “each junior invited here tonight is being honored for their hard work over the past year. You have represented yourself and the SCPGA Junior Tour well. Not only have you endured a busy calendar of events, you have demonstrated remarkable talent both on and off the golf course. You have taken another step toward a lifelong goal of achieving personal excellence.
Aside from the Cherry Bowl championship, RJ also won first place in the Long Beach Junior Golf Summer League at the Recreation Park South Course.
He also won second the place in Southern California PGA Junior Tour, Bridgestone Desert Tournament of Champions at the Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort.
RJ also finished second in the SCPGA Junior Tour that includes Manhattan Beach Championship, Tahquitz Creek Classic, and Rancho Mirage Championship. He clinched third playing against older division in the PGA Junior Sectional Championship at East Valley Golf Club – Champions Course, home of SCPGA.
He was among the Top 10 finishers in LA County Alondra Championship, El Cariso Championship, Los Verdes Championship; Yorba Linda Invitational; SCPGA Bridgestone Metro Tournament of Champions, and Long Beach Golf Festival Crosby Memorial Championship.
