Yuko finally wins one

Back in the pink of health, CNMI Women’s Golf Association president Yuko Togawa finally hit paydirt by winning the November CWGA Tournament held last Saturday at the Coral Ocean Resort in Agingan.

The Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture in Japan native shot a net score of 72 following a superb 40-41 in the back and front nine. The 9-handicapper had a gross of 81.

Togawa said the victory was made even sweeter considering she hasn’t held a golf club the past three months due to injury.

“I was unable to play golf for three months this year due to back pain, but I’m happy to finally be able to play golf again and take part in tournaments.”

As for her best hole of the day, Togawa said it was the par-3 hole No. 7 where she chipped in for birdie. As for her lousiest hole, she said it was none other than holes No. 17 and 18.

“There I just lost my concentration and shot a double bogey and bogey.”

As for the course and weather, Togawa said the rain cleared but it resulted in a steamy day in the golf course. “The course felt very long.”

She then dedicated her win in November to herself. “I realized how difficult it is to maintain a handicap. This time I want to give it (dedication) to myself.”

Togawa, who started playing golf in 2003 when she first arrived on Saipan, said it’s such a blessing to play the sport.

“Golfing on Saipan is great with beautiful scenery and it’s also great to be able to play golf with other members.”

Sae Hee Kim came in second with a net 74 (43-41, 84) beating Sherlyn Jones (45-44, 89) and Rose Rohringer (50-44, 94) via scorecard tiebreak.

A total of nine CWGA members took part in the November competition and they are the following with their scores in parenthesis—Sonny Son (78), Janet Torres (80), Lorraine Babauta (81), Doll Yamagishi (81), and Terry Guerrero (87).

The club continues to look for new members as the new season continues. For those interested in becoming a member of CWGA or for more information, contact CWGA president Yuko Togawa at (670) 287-9856, vice president Lorraine Babauta at (670) 287-0621, or treasurer Lou Kim at (670) 783-7317.