RJ carries CNMI flag in opening

CNMI golfer R.J. Macaranas literally carried the islands’ colors when he took part in the parade of nations yesterday during the preliminary event of the 2008 Callaway Golf Junior World Golf Championship.

After weeks of trying to secure a flag, Macaranas finally obtained one and proudly showed it off along with his dad, Richard, during the event.

In an email to the Saipan Tribune, Richard said his son had fun during the opening ceremony. “The opening ceremony was fantastic, with so many kids having the time of their life.”

In the run-up to tomorrow’s first round of competition in the 9-10 division, Macaranas played a practice round at Welk Resort and shot a three-over par 61. He also finished even par during the putting contest.

Macaranas starts his campaign in the 2008 Callaway Golf Junior World Golf Championship tomorrow and he will be paired with defending champion and good friend Issei Tanabe.

Their group—which also consists of Syouta Wakisaka and Guam’s Terance Camacho of Guam— will be second to the last group to tee off in the 9-10 division at 11:20am.

The 9-10 division of the 2008 Callaway Golf Junior World Golf Championship will be held at Torrey Pines, San Diego.

Last year, Macaranas missed the final two rounds of the 2007 Callaway Junior Golf Tournament after scoring a 16-over par 74 in the first round and a 12-over par 70 in the second round. He missed the cut by 15 strokes.

Macaranas’ father and mother, Becky, both hail from Saipan.

The Callaway Junior World Championship is one of the biggest youth competitions in golf and previous boys champions include Notah Begay III, Ernie Els, Phil Mickelson, Corey Pavin, Nick Price, Craig Stadler, David Toms, and Tiger Woods.

The year 1984 was extra special, with David Toms winning the 15-17 event, Els the 13-14s, and Woods the 9-10s, despite being just eight years old.

Past girls champions, meanwhile, include Amy Alcott, Brandie Burton, Lorena Ochoa, and Jennifer Rosales.

The Junior World Golf Championships are held in San Diego, California each year, currently in July.

They include tournaments for six age groups ranging from under-6 to 15-17 and for both boys and girls.

Each age group plays at a separate course, ranging from a par-three course for the youngest to Torrey Pines for the 15-17s, which is also the venue for the Buick Invitational on the PGA Tour and the site of the 2008 U.S. Open.

The event was founded in 1968. The inaugural tournament numbered 475 entrants from 20 U.S. states and six other countries. By 2003, there were 1,040 participants from 43 U.S states and 45 other countries. Qualifying events are held in the U.S. and elsewhere.