Kamikaze cruises to win in senior flight

Senior flight champion Joe “Kamikaze” Camacho, fourth from left, poses with, from left, tournament director Vicente “Ben” Babauta, McDonald’s Guam and Saipan co-owner Marcia Ayuyu, third place William Maui, runner-up Anthony Benavente, and McDonald’s Guam and Saipan owner Jose “Joe” Ayuyu during the awards banquet of the inaugural Ronald McDonald House of Charities Golf Tournament last Saturday at the Laolao Bay Golf & Resort. (MARK RABAGO)

Aziza Raven Ngilodonloze Camacho will have one very expensive gift this Christmas from daddy. This, after Joe “Kamikaze” Camacho took home first place and the $500 cash that goes along with it by winning the seniors flight of the inaugural Ronald McDonald House of Charities Golf Tournament last Saturday at the Laolao Bay Golf & Resort.

The 60-year-old many time CNMI national golfer shot a 5-over par 77 to rule the division following a 40 in the front nine and a splendid 37 in the back.

“I had problems with the putting because normally I play in the afternoons so I wasn’t used to the putting conditions in the morning. But the course was pretty good and it’s always good to support a tournament with a good cause,” he said.

The Laolao Bay Golf & Resort golf pro said his best shot of the day was the same hole where he got closest to the pin. “Actually it was the hole I got closest to the pin in hole No. 7. From 8 feet I three-putted again.”

Camacho, who got his Kamikaze nickname from his wild days drag racing in Marpi, was also glad that tournament organizers split the senior group into two—senior and super seniors.

“The more people that play the better. It’s also good because the field evens out given the age bracket,” he said.

As for his plans about the $500 he just won, Camacho said it will all go to her 3-month-old baby girl.

“It’s a Christmas present to my baby girl. It’s all her’s. That’s gonna be her Christmas gift. It’s all for her,” he said.

Coming in second to Camacho in the senior flight is CNMI Sports Hall of Famer Anthony Benavente, who came away with a 79 (39-40), while fourth place went to William Maui who also finished with a 79 (41-38), but lost to the Department of Lands and Natural Resources secretary on a scorecard tiebreak. Benavente and Maui earned $300 and $200, respectively, for their Top 3 finishes.

Camacho, who again wore his trademark camouflage cargo shorts, also said taking part in the Ronald McDonald House of Charities Golf Tournament was good practice for him and the rest of the CNMI National Golf Team for next year’s Pacific Mini Games.

“It was actually a good event for all the team members to get adjusted to tournament pressure leading into the Mini Games. I like the event in a way that it keeps me in tournament mode and enhances my mental focus,” he said.

Results of the super senior flight and C flight will be published in tomorrow’s issue of Saipan Tribune.

Established in 1987, the Ronald McDonald House Charities has helped over 38,000 families from the CNMI, Guam, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Marshall Islands, Palau, and Hawaii. It’s not directly affiliated with McDonald’s Corp. or any of its restaurants and relies heavily on the support of the community to continue delivering services for those in need.