King Kang conquers NMC golf

Veteran par-busters showed up with their A games at the LaoLao Bay Golf Resort during last Saturday’s NMC Foundation Open, but none was more dominant as Seung Woo Kang, who was hotter than the scorching sun and outplayed all in attendance to take home first place in the Championship Flight.

The golf instructor was focused on his mission and showed good form before surprising the clubhouse with a phenomenal 4-under par 68.

It was a flawless debut in the NMC Foundation Open for Kang, who was paired with defending champion Jeff Taylor, Joe “Kamikaze” Camacho, and Jess Wabol.

Kang was already at 4-under par 32 through his first nine holes, and carried his smooth play to cap his day with an even-par 36 in his final nine holes.

“I guess I played okay [Saturday],” Kang said during the awards banquet at the Hyatt Regency Saipan poolside. “My putting was going in the way I had hoped. My iron and driver was not that good, but my putter was working and I think that’s what saved me.”

Kang also explained that he knew he had to shoot a low score to win, and was actually aiming to finish at least at even par.

With the win, Kang earned a year’s worth of bragging rights, $500, a shiny trophy, and a roundtrip ticket to anywhere Continental Micronesia provides services to.

Finishing a close second was Sasaki Oliver, who shot a 36 in the front nine and 34 in the back nine for a respectable score of 2-under par 70. The “Pride of Pohnpei,” who was one of the favorites to win, went home with $300 and a trophy, while Tsukasa Kuribayashi placed third with an even par 72, taking home a trophy and $200.

Clifford Camacho topped the A Flight, shooting a 3-over par 75 or three strokes better than runner-up James Babauta, who shot a 41 and a 37 for a 6-over par 78. Lt. Gov. Diego Benavente placed third with a 7-over par 79.

John Cepeda also had a memorable day on the course, shooting a 41 in the front nine and a 40 in the back nine for a 9-over par 81, the best performance by anyone competing in the B Flight. The win, however, wasn’t what Cepeda and many others were talking about.

Cepeda’s tee shot on Hole No. 3 was almost perfect, finding nothing but the bottom of the cup, before rattling out and resting at the lip of the cup, costing Cepeda the chance of driving home a 2005 Toyota Tacoma.

Finishing right behind Cepeda was Yun Bai with an 82 and Benedicto Lizama with an 83.

For his part, Gil Santos put on a show in the C Flight and caught the eyes of many by shooting 39s on both the front and back nine to finish with a 6-over par 78 to capture first place. Ronnie Santos placed second with an 86, while Anthony Camacho was three shots back at 83 for third place.

Competition in Seniors Flight was also intense, but after all was said and done, Jesus Taitano emerged victorious with a remarkable 1-under par 71. Veteran Eddie Peter finished at 1-over 73, while Edward Manibusan shot a 3-over par 75 to finish with the third-best performance.

Meanwhile, top gun Noriko Togawa lived up to expectations and finished on top of the Ladies Flight with a 4-over par 76. Michiyo Mizuno followed with a 6-over par 78, while Alice Taitano put on a notable show and rested with an 81 for third place.

Like Kang, Oliver, and Kuribayashi in the Championship Flight, other flight top winners went home with $500, second place $300, and third place $200 in addition to the trophies. All first-place winners also received a round trip ticket to anywhere Continental Micronesia flies.