Macaranas joins ‘Elite 10’ club in Long Beach

R.J. Macaranas added another milestone in his young golf career last month, earning a spot in Long Beach Junior Golf’s “Elite 10” club.

Macaranas, whose parents Richard and Becky are from Saipan, lowered his handicap from 12 to 10 after topping two events in LBJG.

Richard said his 10-year-old son received the club’s personalized “Elite 10” jacket, which is a pullover waterproof windbreaker that is given only to golfers with a 10 handicap.

“The ‘Elite 10’ club members are mostly teenagers, and to be a member at an early age feels good. The jacket will be a reminder that his hard work gave him good results and rewards,” Richard said in an email to the Saipan Tribune.

Besides the tournaments in LBJG, the younger Macaranas also played at Heartwell GC for the LBGF, Lawrence Welk Resort for the Callaway Golf Junior World Championships, Alhambra Junior World Qualifier, Lakewood CC for the Len Kennett Championships, and El Cariso GC for the LA County Championships last summer.

R.J. also competed in the U.S. Kids qualifiers at Carlton Oaks and Brookside, Junior Golf of Southern Nevada Junior World Qualifier at Eagle Crest GC in Nevada, the O’Donnell Classic in Palm Springs, the Crosby Memorial at Recreation Park South Course, LA County Championships at Diamond Bar, Mountain Meadows, and Santa Anita, the Yorba Linda CC Invitational, and the U.S. Kids World Championship at Pinehurst North Carolina.

Before returning to school this month, the former 6-and-under Junior World Champion completed 33 rounds of golf and participated in two world junior championships.

Of the many courses he played in, the younger Macaranas calls the Recreation Park South Course and Heartwell GC his home courses.

Heartwell FC is one of the Top 10 popular par-3 courses in Southern California, The course has Tiger Woods’ memorabilia on display, including the one when Woods made his first birdie on the No. 3 hole at the age of four.

An article written by Eric Tracy for the Southland Golf magazine, described Heartwell GC as a “lighted 18-hole course where a young Tiger Woods cut his baby teeth in the game.”

The lighted course helped R.J. and many junior golfers train from 6pm to 10pm.

After summer, R.J. will be preparing next for the fall tournaments and he is aiming to lower his handicap to nine.

“One of R.J.’s goals this year is to bring his handicap down from 14 to nine. R.J., however, said ‘there’s no advantage in having a handicap anyway because all scores in tournaments are gross scores. I’ve never play with a handicap,’” Richard said.

Richard said R.J. is hoping to participate in the Bridgestone Fall Tournament of Champions in New Port Beach this fall.