Dung Tenorio tops third Mini Games golf qualifier

Peter “Dung” Tenorio, seen here in a file photo center, topped the third qualifying tournament for the CNMI National Golf Team for the 2022 Northern Marianas Mini Games last Saturday at the Coral Ocean Resort. (Contributed photo)

Peter “Dung” Tenorio won the third qualifying tournament for the CNMI National Golf Team for the 2022 Northern Marianas Mini Games last Saturday at the Coral Ocean Resort.

Tenorio topped the men’s division after edging Joe Sasamoto Jr. and Harry Nakamura by a stroke in the Commonwealth Federation of Golf Associations-organized tryout after finishing the 18 holes with a 5-over 77.

The Joeten Motor Co. executive shot a 1-over par 37 in the front nine and a 4-over par 40 in the back, including a birdie in the 18th hole, to finish with the day’s lowest score.

Sasamoto came away with a 6-over 78 built around a 2-over par 38 in the first nine holes and a 4-over par 40 in last nine holes. He had three birdies in all—holes No. 9, 11, and 18. Nakamura matched Sasamoto’s 78 after shooting a 40 in the front and a 38 in the back with 1-under pars in holes No. 4 and 17.

In the men’s junior division, Li Zhin Yun topped the age group again after carding a 10-over 72. He shot identical 41s in the front and back nines. Joe “Kazu” Dela Cruz was the only other junior golfer to compete Saturday and he finished with a 108 (55-53).

In the women’s division, veteran golfer Yuko Togawa topped the division after finishing with a 15-over par 87. She clubbed a 43 in the front nine and a 44 in the back nine.

Myun Son and Janet Torres settled for second and third place with identical scores of 90. The former shot a 44 and 46 in the first and last nine holes, while the latter curiously had a 44 and a 46 in the two parts.

In the women’s junior division, Zhimin Jin repeated after firing a 16-over par 88. She started out with a 42 before ending her round with a 46. Soarin Oh was second in the age group with a 114 (54-60), while third place went to Sophia Herras with her 187 (92-95).

The fourth qualifying round for next year’s golf competition in the Mini Games will be held on Oct. 2, also at the Coral Ocean Resort.

CFoGA is looking at forming a national team made up of two men’s players, two junior men’s players, two women’s players, and two junior women’s players. Pacific Games Council eligibility rules dictate that only U.S. citizens who are CNMI residents can try out for the national team. Another eligibility requirement CFoGA included is anyone trying out should also be a member of any CFoGA-sanctioned club.

CFoGA’s officers include president Edward Manibusan, vice president J.J. Atalig, secretary/treasurer Lorraine Babauta, social and media officer Geri Dela Cruz and golf tournament coordinators Marco Peter and Joey Dela Cruz. Peter incidentally is also the chairman of the 2022 Northern Marianas Pacific Mini Games Organizing Committee.

For more information on the CFoGA tryouts for the Mini Games, call Geri Dela Cruz at 783-4287 and Atalig at 285-1612.