ZHIMIN Jin celebrated her birthday as the Ladies Flight champion of the NMC Foundation Golf Open for the second consecutive year at Laolao Bay Golf & Resort over the weekend. She defended her title by shooting a two-day gross total of 156.
The tournament kicked off on Jin’s birthday, Saturday, when she closed the front nine with a gross score of 39 and improved on the back nine with a gross score of 36, for a total gross score of 75.
On day 2, Sunday, Jin finished the first nine holes with a gross of 39, but failed to maintain a steady swing on the back nine with a gross of 42 for a gross total of 81 and a two-day total of 156.
However, her overall performance was more than enough to secure the title as she finished nine strokes ahead of the competition.
In an interview, the now 18-year-old Jin said the east course on day 1 was her favorite. “I really loved it. The greens were amazing. I love how we didn’t have much wind yesterday,” Jin said.
As for the west course, she said she “bummed” it. “The course condition was OK, but the greens were kind of bumpy. It was really inconsistent,” she added.
Jin’s best shot came on hole 2 of the east course where she sank a clutch eagle.
As for winning the title back-to-back, Jin said that it was not expected because she had been focusing on her studies and preparing for college rather than playing golf. “I [also] knew there were 12 players from Guam, and I heard that they were really good. I’m happy that I was able to play with some of them yesterday and today.” Jin said. “I feel grateful that I was able to win again. I’m happy.”
Jin dedicated her win to her parents, who “work really hard” and are her number one fans.
Coming in second in the Ladies Flight division was Hyranie McAuslen with a two-day gross total of 165 followed by Teresita Blair in third sharing the same two-day gross total of 165.
Seniors
In the Seniors Flight division, Joseph Sasamoto reigned supreme with a two-day gross total of 149. In second and third places were Joe “Kamikaze” Camacho with 151, and Mike Castro with 154.
In the Super Seniors Flight division, Joseph Sablan clinched the title with a two-day gross total of 161 followed by Tony Satur with 169, and Richard Sablan with 170.
The first, second, and third place winners in the Championship, A, B, C, Seniors, and Super Seniors flights received cash prizes. The first-place winners received $800, second-place, $500, and third-place, $300.
Additionally, seven players from Kazakhstan joined the tournament, including Svetlana Kan, an eight-time taekwondo world champion honored by President Barack Obama in 2011 for her contributions to international sports.
Nothing but good news
During the awards banquet on Sunday, NMC President Galvin Deleon Guerrero, EdD, said: “It seems like these days, when we open the newspaper all we see is bad news. Well, today — here in front of me — I see nothing but good news. It’s the good news of your support, golfers like you, our sponsors, and our volunteers working hard backstage to make sure that we are carving a future for our students.”
Deleon Guerrero said there is good news at NMC where they are building new facilities and new programs for the CNMI.
“What I believe is, what you’ve done today for us here at the college and the CNMI is you bring more than just good news — you bring great news. So yeah, there’s a lot of bad news out there, but there are a lot of good news right here and it’s all happening here at NMC,” he added.
Now in its 20th year, the NMC Foundation Golf Open is a fundraising event for the college.
Zhimin Jin, 2nd left, the Ladies Flight winner, with Northern Marianas College Regent Michelle Lin Sablan, left, Guam Hotel and Restaurant Association President Mary Rhodes, 2nd right, and NMC President Galvin Deleon Guerrero, EdD during the awards banquet of the 20th Annual NMC Foundation Golf Open at LaoLao Bay Golf & Resort on Sunday,
Photo by James F. Sablan Jr.
Joe Sasamoto, 2nd left, is the Senior Flight winner.
Photo by James F. Sablan Jr.
Joseph Sablan Jr., 2nd left, topped the Super Senior Flight division.
Photo by James F. Sablan Jr.
Northern Marianas College President Galvin Deleon Guerrero, EdD, shares his remarks during the awards banquet.
Photo by James F. Sablan Jr.
