NMMI Sports Press
Junior college golf season doesn’t begin until the spring, but when a Bronco wins a tournament for the first time since the head coach was a player, it’s worth some recognition.
Freshman Phalatphon Viboonviriyasakul, affectionately known as “Putter,” shot 212 during a two-day, three-round tourney in Jacksonville, Texas on Sept. 25-26. He shot a 72 in the first and third rounds, and a 68 in the second round. The Broncos finished third out of nine teams at the Tomato Bowl Classic.
In his first year as the Bronco head golf coach, Boyd Kapalamoto has his team on track for success. Kapalamoto was the last NMMI player to win a tournament during the 2018-2019 season.
“My kids were very hungry for a tournament,” Kapalamoto said. “Our main goal for the fall is to get recognized. We haven’t had anybody put up a plaque since the last time I won one, so I’m very happy to see my recruits go out there and represent.”
Five players made up a team at the Tomato Bowl Classic, with the top four scores being applied to the total team score.
Former NMMI Colt golfer and state champion Jackson Hicks finished tied for sixth place out of 40 golfers with a 224. Sophomore Henry Mwanza finished 17th with a 232 and freshman Thavichakre “Ten” Arunmala took 20th with a 234. Freshman Aden Morales shot 244 and freshman Nathan Benitez shot 287.
Kapalamoto said some of his players simply ran out of gas having to golf 36 holes on the first day. Besides Putter, most of the team posted their highest scores in the second round. But Kapalamoto believes more conditioning and game action will lead to improvement as the real season approaches.
“They wouldn’t admit they were tired, but the results show it,” Kapalamoto said. “They were so good the first 18 and the last 18. You could tell they lacked the stamina. So expect to see us running a lot.”
Putter experienced adversity before he ever teed off, breaking his driver during the practice round, but he handled it like a pro.
“I tried to find someone to repair his club and he told me he didn’t need a driver for that course,” Kapalamoto said. “That was very impressive. He showed some tough mentality right there.”
Kapalamoto was proud to see Hicks compete well against a tough field.
“Jackson went out and showed he belongs,” he said. “This is one of the toughest conferences in the U.S. and if you win a tournament or place, it really means a lot.”
The Broncos have another chance to improve when they compete in the RJGA Shootout in El Paso, Texas starting Sunday.