Nick Sablan Sr. wins SGA March tourney

Former CNMI national golfer punched his ticket to the Saipan Golfers Association’s season-ending Ace of Aces Tournament after topping the March Ace of the Month Tournament last March 17 at the Kingfisher Golf Links in Talafofo.

The 72-year-old multi-titled par-buster shot his age—a net 72—after shooting a 39-40 in the front and back nine for a gross of 79.

“My putting was helping that day and it was just a perfect day for golf. As for dedicating the win to anyone, no one really but I’m glad that I got this out of the way so I can’t just relax and wait for the big day,” said Sablan.

Sablan now joins the 2024 Ace of the Month winners: Larry Deleon Guerrero (January) and Alex Tudela (February).

Tony Reyes came in second, one shot off Sablan’s with a net 73 following a gross of 87 (47-40), while Larry Deleon Guerrero tied with Reyes but lost via tiebreaker to complete the Top 3 also with his net 73 (90, 44-46)

In the closest to the pin competition, Jung Eun Teack won in hole Nos. 6 and 12, while Sablan was without peer in hole No. 12.

Attorney General Edward Manibusan brought the lumber in hole No. 5 in the longest drive tilt, while Sablan did the trick in hole No. 11.

And speaking of Manibusan, he won the 2023 SGA Ace of Aces Tournament last Dec. 17 also at the Kingfisher golf course. The CNMI’s highest-ranking law enforcement official won with his net score of 68 after taming the greens and fairways with his 41 in the front nine and 36 in the back nine.

Sablan won a triple tie at second place via scorecard tiebreak among him Ray Salas and John Matsumoto after all of them finished with identical net scores of 72, while Frances Sablan and Larry DeLeon Guerrero came in fourth and fifth with their 73 and 76 net, respectively.

In the January and February aces that were held concurrently during the Ace of Aces, Larry Deleon Guerrero won in January with his net 65, while Alex Tudela topped the February tourney with his net 71.