Demapan wins SGA November Ace tourney

Joe Demapan is assured of a slot to the Saipan Golfers Association Ace of the Aces tournament next month after winning the November Ace Tournament at the Coral Ocean Point course Sunday.

Demapan won this month’s plum over 26 other participants after shooting a net 60. The 13-handicapper Demapan had the second best gross score in the field, firing a 1-over par 73. Former Superior Court presiding judge Ed Manibusan recorded the lowest gross in the tournament, drilling an even par 72.

A good start put Demapan in a position to take the November Ace as he carded an even-par 36 on the front nine before slowing down a bit on the back with a 1-over par 37. He won by only a stroke against Martin Sablan, a 26-handicapper who posted a 44 and 43 on the front and back nines, respectively, for a net 61 and gross 87.

Finishing third was the 17-handicapper Frank Rosario, who nailed a net 67 after tallying a 40 on the front and 44 on the back for a gross 84.

Demapan’s November Ace-winning performance was highlighted by birdies on the par-5 No. 9, par-3 No. 12, par-4, No. 13, and par-3, No. 14

Demapan and Manibusan were the two golfers to make the most birdies in the tournaments. Manibusan birdied hole Nos. 1, 5, 12, and 14.

Ned Norita had only two birdies (No. 16 and N0. 8), but hit the lone eagle—a first in SGA this year—on the par-5 No. 9.

Rick Kautz also had two birdies (No. 5 and No. 10), while Ron Hodges and Frank and Joe Rosario made one apiece.

Norita added two longest drive shots on No. 9 and No. 18 to his lone eagle, while Demapan had two greenies (No. 3 and No. 14), and Frank Rosario and Martin Sablan tallied one greenies apiece on No. 7 and No. 12, respectively.

Demapan will play in the SGA Ace of the Aces (Dec. 13 and 14) against this year’s monthly winners Mariano Fajardo (January), Jose I. Sablan (February), Norita (March), Larry I. Deleon Guerrero (April), Manibusan (June), Nobert Sablan (July), Hodges (August), Art Deleon Guerrero (September), Steve Balakrishna (October), and the December Ace winner.

The last ticket to the SGA Ace of the Aces will be at stake at the December Ace Tournament to be played on Nov. 30 at the Marianas Country Club in Marpi.

Check-in and tee time will be announced later.

For more information, contact SGA president Martin Sablan at 483-6278, vice president John Takai at 484-3045, secretary Larry Guerrero at 287-1052, or tournament coordinator Mariano Fajardo at 483-2549.