|
JGANC |
I remember taking a picture of you and your brother Harold at
the Junior Advisor Team Shoot Out. You've been playing JGANC
events for several seasons. How long have you been a JGANC member? |
|
Howard |
I've been a member for 4 years. |
|
JGANC |
Well, that makes you a good candidate to tell us your suggestion
to improve the JGANC. What can we do to make it better? |
|
Howard |
I wouldn't improve on anything. Just keep doing what you do. |
|
JGANC |
Wow, that's quite a compliment. Thanks Howard. Tell us what is
your favoirite tournament on our calendar? |
|
Howard |
My favorite tournament is the East Bay Junior in Alameda. |
|
JGANC |
That is a fine tournament and it is run by one of our former
JGANC members. By the way, who is your favorite pro golfer? |
|
Howard |
Ernie Els is my favorite because he hits the ball far and
consistent without much effort. |
|
JGANC |
I guess that is the proof of a professional, do something difficult
and make it look easy. Besides Ernie Els, has anyone else influenced
you with your game? |
|
Howard |
Friends like Mikee Camitoc, Gable ignacio and Chris
Bui have influenced me. Also my brother Harold Santos and my
Dad. |
|
JGANC |
My, I sure hope Miguel, Gable and Chris read this interview.
What a wonderful thing to say. I'm sure your brother knows what
he has done for you as well as your Dad. Great answer, Howard.
So, it is 2006. Have you made any goals for yourself? |
|
Howard |
I simply want to go to more JGANC events. |
|
JGANC |
If you can make this happen we'll be seing your name posted more
and more. Tell us about school. |
|
Howard |
I'm a 15 year old sophomore and I go to Arroyo High School. |
|
JGANC |
Is there anything else you enjoy doing besides playing golf? |
|
Howard |
I enjoy hanging out with friends and going to the movies,
fishing and playing football. |
|
JGANC |
You sound like a well-rounded young man. Keep up the good work
and we'll see you out on the links this year. Give our best to
your brother too. |
|
JGANC |
Katrina, you are now a junior in high school. How long have you
been a member of the JGANC? |
|
Katrina |
I've been a member for 3 years. |
|
JGANC |
You played lots of events in 2005, which one was your favorite? |
|
Katrina |
My favorite is the JGANC/NCPGA Championships. |
|
JGANC |
I remember you going to the quarter-finals last year. Maybe 2006
is your year and you'll be our champion. Katrina, when did you
start playing golf? |
|
Katrina |
I started playing golf when I was 9. |
|
JGANC |
Did you take lessons or what? |
|
Katrina |
No, my dad brought me to a driving range in the Philippines
with his friend. His friend had a very heavy club which I could
barely swing and they urged me to try and hit and so I did. Tey
kept supplying me with more golf balls until my hands were probably
full of splinters. It was very difficult so I was discouraged
and told myself not to try it again. After a month my dad brought
me to the same driving range and introduced me to a golf pro
named Niki Mansor. He looked at my swing and told me I had a
natural swing. Since then, i became motivated to continue playing
and improve on my skills. Eventually, I started winning tournaments
and got to represent the Philippines in 2000 and 2002 in the
Junior World Golf Championships in San Diego. Here I am now in
the U.S., still playing golf and enjoying every minute of it! |
|
JGANC |
I hope Mr Mansor knows what an influence he has been. Just think,
those of us who have attended Junior World had no idea that this
attractive young lady from the Philippines would eventually be
playing for the JGANC. We're so glad you are here.
You had a very successful 2005 and even played on our Girls Mary
Cave Cup Team. This was your first JGANC team experience. What
was it like? Did you grow from this experience/ |
|
Katrina |
The Mary Cave Cup is a very special event and playing for
the JGANC was an incredible experience for me. I had the opportunity
to become friends with and know my teammates (Joanne Lee, Marina
Martinez and Cristina Corpus) better. Traveling with my team
was fun and encouraging as we shared a lot of camaraderie with
other junior golfers from various chapters. Seeing these girls
play with great golf motivated me to work hard, build confidence
and persevere even more. |
|
JGANC |
You were a great team member and we hope you plan to work hard
in 2006 so you qualify for consideration for some of our other
team opportunities. With that in mind, what are your goals for
2006? |
|
Katrina |
My goals for 2006 are to maintain good grades in school because
life is not just about sports but also, about education. For
golf, play more consistently and win more tournaments. |
|
JGANC |
What else do you enjoy doing besides golf? |
|
Katrina |
Just like any other teenager, i love to hang out with friends,
go shopping, watch movies, go to parties and play other sports
like basketball and badminton. I love to dance, sing and have
been involved in a local theatre as an actor and assistant stage
manager. I enjoy spending time with my family. |
|
JGANC |
Before we close Katrina, are there any other information about
yourself you would like to share? |
|
Katrina |
I went to The First Tee National Academy in Kansas for a week
last summer. It was awesome because i met a lot of junior golfers
from various First Tee chapers around the world. It was also
fun sleeping in the dorms at Kansas State university, waking
up at 6 in the moring to get ready and play golf the whole day,
and then come back to the dorm at about 7 p.m. It was tiring,
but I had a grat time. Also, it was amazing how everyone became
really close to each other that is was as if we knew each other
for a long time. We had a hard time saying goodbyes, but we know
that eventually we will see each other again. |
|
JGANC |
I'm sure you will. I wouldn't be surprised you will play college
golf with some of these friends or the friends you've met in
the JGANC. Thanks so much Katrina for sharing yourself with us.
I think we know you a little better too. Good luck on the links
in 2006. |
|
JGANC |
Hi Tyler. We're anxious to get to know you. What we do know is
that you won the State Fair Junior last year. What do you think
is in store for you for 2006? |
|
Tyler |
I want to make state or Nor Cals on my high school golf team.
I also want to become a better putter and defend my title at
the California State Fair. |
|
JGANC |
You mentioned your high school team. What year in school are
you? |
|
Tyler |
I'm a 15 year-old sophomore. |
|
JGANC |
You are at a perfect time in high school. You still have plenty
of time to enjoy it all before you have to get serious about
college choices. How long have you been a JGANC member? |
|
Tyler |
I've been a JGANC member for 3 years. |
|
JGANC |
In that time, what tournament has been your favorite? |
|
Tyler |
The Sacramento State Fair is my favorite tournament. I've
played in it twice, and the first time I won my age group and
this past year I won boys overall. This tournament has been good
to me. |
|
JGANC |
What a foolish question that was. Of course, the State Fair is
your favorite. That's quite a record. Play it twice and win both
times. You are a fine golfer. How often do you practice? and
do you have a special routine? |
|
Tyler |
I practice almost everyday. |
|
JGANC |
Do you have s special practice routine? |
|
Tyler |
I don't have a set routine, but before each round I hit lob
wedge, dual wedge, 8, 6, 4, 3-wood and driver. It's good luck
most of the time. |
|
JGANC |
How did you begin playing golf? |
|
Tyler |
I live on the 15th hole at El Macero C.C. in Davis so my Dad
had me playing by the time I was 5-6 years old. They have a junior
club at El Macero and I am still a member. Now that I play a
lot, it is really easy to get out and practice |
|
JGANC |
What a great situation for you. El Macero has been so supportive
of juniors, not to mention their outstanding junior tournament
during the summer.What else do you enjoy doing besides golf? |
|
Tyler |
My second-favorite sport is basketball. I have played on school
and rec.leagues. I watch a lot of football, but I don't play.
I also like video games, hanging out with my friends, and sleeping
in because I don't get near enough sleep during the school year!
|
|
JGANC |
I can't imagine you get much sleep during the golf season either,
with all those early tee times. Nevertheless, we wish you the
best and thanks for taking the time to answer our questions. |
