Previous Story
Sasaki looks to qualify for Pacific Games
|
Posted on Feb 19 2006
Local golfer Sasaki Oliver has expressed his interest in qualifying for the CNMI National Golf Team to next year’s Pacific Games in Apia, Samoa.
In an interview Wednesday, Sasaki said he is looking forward to taking part in the upcoming qualifiers in hopes of making the team.
“I want to compete and represent the CNMI if I get a chance to,” he said. “I am really looking forward for the qualifiers and hopefully I’ll be able to do it.”
Oliver recently returned from taking part in the Johnnie Walker Classic Pro-Am in Perth, Australia. While he was away taking tips from professional golfers such as Peter O’Malley, K.J. Choi, Fred Couples, and Retief Goosen, the first qualifier was held at the LaoLao Bay Golf Resort west course last Feb. 11.
Winning the qualifier was fellow veteran Joe “Kamikaze” Camacho, who also serves as coach for Oliver.
“I heard about it and with the way he was playing, it would have been very tough for any one to have beaten him,” Oliver said.
Tough it was as Camacho shot a 3-under 69 to take top honors.
Veterans Jeff Taylor and Jess Wabol also competed and finished tied with identical scores of 1-over 73, while Tony Satur finished just three shots back of the two with a 76.
Other participants looking to qualify include Adam Hardwich, Jack Sablan, Alex Aquiningoc, Louie Tilipao, Sang Kim, and Sonny Flores.
Oliver began playing the sport in 1999 before taking it up seriously in 2002.
“I play everyday,” he said. “I practice Monday to Friday and hit the course on the weekend. This is a pretty good place to golf.”
Meanwhile, Wabol, who also serves as coordinator of the Pacific Games qualifiers, has expressed interest in fielding a women’s team to Samoa.
The Feb. 11 qualifier, however, did not feature a female player.
For more information on the men’s or women’s qualifiers for the Pacific Games in Apia, Western Samoa, contact Wabol at 288-1129.
