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Senior golfer hits hole-in-one
Jang Hyew Duck, center, is all smiles as he is awarded the ceremonial prize for hitting a hole-in-one during the 14th Annual Northern Marianas College Foundation Golf Tournament last Saturday at the Laolao Bay Golf & Resort. Also in the photo is NMC president Carmen Fernandez, right, and NMC Foundation board chair Mary Tenorio. (Erwin T. Encinares)
About to give up in the competition after a bad start, Senior Flight golfer Jang Hyew Duck turned out to become the biggest winner in the 14th Annual Northern Marianas College Foundation Golf Tournament after hitting a hole-in-one at the Laolao Bay Golf & Resort last Saturday.
Jang made the rare hole-in-one on the east course’s par-3, 130-yard hole No. 6 and he went home with the $5,000 prize that was sponsored by McDonald’s.
Jang, in an interview with Saipan Tribune, said that during the time he was about to tee at hole No. 6, he was losing hopes after hitting a triple bogey earlier in the tournament and a double bogey at hole No. 5. He used his trusty 7 iron in hitting the biggest shot in the contest and trying to break his bad luck.
“I had to enjoy,” Jang recalled the moments before sinking the hole-in-one. He used his 4 iron without knowledge at all about the greens prior to hole No. 6.
“That is why for hole No. 6, I changed to the 7 iron and was just hitting for fun. The tee felt very nice and I thought I could get at least a birdie but then I noticed the people watching got very excited and then out of nowhere, I hit the hole-in-one,” recalled Jang, still laughing from all the excitement.
According to Jang, this was not his first hole-in-one and incidentally he made the same shot in the similar hole.
“This is my third hole-in-one. I hit a hole-in-one on No. 6 of the east course about 3 years ago. It’s a very special hole,” he said. “However, this was my first time to hit a hole-in-one in an actual tournament.”
Jang added he plans to share some of his rewards with his front and back team.
“I also donated to all the staff and will share my winnings with all my friends,” he said.
Meanwhile, Jang got additional prize money ($300) as he also finished second in the Seniors Flight. He shot a 5-over par 77 after firing a 40 on the front nine and a 37 on the back.
