Dominic Kieffer, 3rd left, the championship flight winner, poses for a photo with Northern Marianas College President Galvin Deleon Guerrero, EdD, NMC Foundation board member Michael Sheu, NMC Regent Michelle Sablan, NMC Regent Jesse Tudela and NMC Foundation board member Tayna Belyeu-Camacho during the NMC Golf Open awards ceremony at the LoaLao Bay Golf & Resort on Sunday.
The top three A flight division players Ned Norita, Enoch Lim and Kiwan Nam pose with their prizes during the NMC Golf Open awards ceremony at the LoaLao Bay Golf & Resort on Sunday.
The top three B flight division players Darion Jones, Arvin Ogo, and Alexander Sablan pose with their prizes during the NMC Golf Open awards ceremony at the LoaLao Bay Golf & Resort on Sunday.
DOMINIC Kieffer showcased a stellar performance in the championship flight of the Northern Marianas College Golf Open, shooting two-over par for a net total of 146 at the LaoLao Bay Golf & Resort.
Consistency was the key to Kieffer’s first-place finish in the two-day event held on Saturday and Sunday.
On day 1 on the west course, Kieffer made a double bogey on hole #2 followed by another bogey on hole #4.
However, he improved his score in the remainder of the front nine with a birdie and pars to end with a gross of 38.
On the back nine, he made another double bogey and two bogeys but recovered by sinking two birdies for a gross of 38 to end day 1 with a four over par, gross total of 76.
Kieffer closed hole #8 with a par, but he said it was the hardest due to its slope on the green that required precision placement.
On day 2 on the east course, Kieffer started with a double bogey on hole #1, but the 29-year-old golfer kept his cool and recovered on hole #5 with an eagle. His gross score on the front nine was 36.
He continued to ride the momentum on the back nine, making two bogeys and four birdies for a gross score of 34 to end day 2 with an under par, gross total of 70.
With a combined score of 146, Kieffer secured the top spot in the championship flight and the $500 first prize.
“The tournament was fantastic,” he said. “The golf course was in good shape. A lot of very enthusiastic people greeted us, and we had a lot of fun. But I think all the players can attest that it was very difficult,” he added.
It was the first major tournament win for Kieffer who has been playing golf since he was three years old. He has been on the island for about a year and a half now.
In second place was Louie Sunga who shot a gross of 75 on both days for a net score of 150 to win $300.
Claiming the $200 third prize was Gi Young Kim with a day 1 gross of 78 and a day 2 gross of 75 for a net score of 152.
A flight
In the A flight division, Ned Norita claimed the top spot by shooting a gross of 84 on day 1 and 72 in day 2 for a net score of 156 to take home $500.
Enoch Lim placed second with a day 1 gross of 81 and a day 2 gross of 83 for a net score of 164 to win $300. He bested Kiwan Nam, who shared the same score, via the score-card playoff. Nam received the $200 third prize.
B flight
In the B flight division, Darion Jones claimed the $500 first prize after shooting a day 1 gross of 82 and a day 2 gross of 78 for a net score of 160.
Arvin Ogo placed second and took home $300 with a day 1 gross of 80 and a day 2 gross of 88 for a net score of 168.
In third place was Alexander Sablan who took home $200 for a day 1 gross of 89 and a day 2 gross of 84 for a net score of 173.
C flight
In the C flight division, Nicolas Leon Guerrero won the $500 first prize with a day 1 gross of 88 and a day 2 gross of 85 for a net score of 173.
Kwang Kim claimed the $300 second prize with a day 1 gross of 84 and a day 2 gross of 91 for a net score of 175, edging James Lin via the score-card playoff. Lin, who had the same net score, settled for the $200 third prize.
The winners in the women’s and senior flight divisions will be featured in Variety’s next edition.
