It was not the first time that Macaranas represented CNMI in a world championship event so the nine-year-old golfer was very excited to receive the invitation.
Aside from Macaranas, 29 other junior golfers represented 16 countries and states that included Mexico, Finland, Australia and the United States.
Playing in the nine and 10 year old division, Macaranas who is turns 10 this month, finished six strokes over par 78 in the final round of the tournament when he adjusted pretty well by playing longer clubs.
Although he birdied once and pared three times, Macaranas struggled in the first round shooting 47 and 43 in the front and back nines respectively, garnering a total of 90 gross—an 18-over par.
Improving in the final round, he shot 40 in the front, and fired 2-over par in the back with three birdies and seven pars.
He weather condition during the tournament was cold, windy, wet and cloudy. The Double Tree Golf Resort was the site of this World Championships for 9-10 division yardages which is 5,286 yards Par 72, and the course rating is 71.9 with 125 slopes.
Macaranas scored a total of 168 for two rounds.
The yardages, according to Richard Macaranas were longer than what the boy normally hits. But amidst tough weather conditions, he made a huge jump by shooting the lowest score coming in to be the club house leader.
Younger Macaranas said he would bring his “A” game, when he saw his driver was working effectively.
He even joked “I trained my ball well to stay out of the bunkers and out of the hazards and into the holes.”
Macaranas was constantly in great position strategically while the rest of his foursomes were struggling to catch up with his drives. He had 1 to 3 strokes advantage on almost every hole.
The boy was so excited that he would run to the next shot, while his family support where watching from the gallery.
Witnessing the great round were his mother, Becky Macaranas, brother, Christian Macaranas, grand parents Cristina Hemphill and Randy Hemphill, auntie, Sheila Hemphill and 15 other cheerers.
Back in the course, Macaranas began his great play firing two under par in a four-hole stretch and finished even par in the last three holes.
On tough holes, Macaranas used mantras provided by Pro Golf Association player and guest speaker at the welcoming party to help him mentally focus.
Tiger Woods’ 10 yard rule was a favorite. After a bad shot, we can complain and show as much frustration as we can, but after 10 yards from that spot the stroke is never thought of again.
Another mantra worth mentioning, is that he played like a champion, because he was “thinking like a champion, and acting like a champion.”
Sponsored by Callaway Golf, the tournament is Future Champions Golf’s most prestigious event. The group also held the San Diego Junior Masters, and the San Diego Junior Amateur last year.
