Wabol, Team 2A top Hyatt Golf Classic

Saipan’s ace par-buster Jess Wabol finally won the championship in a tournament where the lowest gross score does not really matter.

“I’m really happy. This is the first time I won in this tournament,” said Wabol after leading Team 2A to the championship in last Saturday’s 13th Annual Club at the Hyatt Golf Classic at the Laolao Bay Golf Resort. The event was held for the benefit of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Wabol, along with his teammates Bae Yong Man and junior golfer Louis Byun, had to carry the load because Tars Olopai, their fourth player, did not show up. Aside from this, the trio also played with a zero handicap in the double peoria handicap system.

Despite the odds, the trio came up with the winning lowest net of 62.

Wabol said Byun played steady as he also substituted for Olopai.

With their effort, Team 2A won the top prize of a one night stay at the hotel’s Regency Club and Sunday Brunch for two at Giovanni’s.

“You have to get up early in the morning but it’s worth it,” Wabol said after the awarding ceremony at the Garapan landmark’s poolside. “We have to come back and defend the title next year.”

Team 13B, who had a handicap of 14.4, had a gross of 78 to finish second with a net of 63.6. The team was composed of Paz Younis, Edgar Abalos, James Lee, and John Sablan. They won a one night stay in a Deluxe Room at the Hyatt and a dinner for two at Kili Café and Terrace.

Team 5A (Team Mobil), composed of George Moses and Newman Techur—and a handicap of 7.2—had a gross of 72 to settle for third place after gaining a net of 64.8. They won a 60-minute Swedish massage at I’Sugua Spa and lunch buffet for two at Miyako.

In his message, Hyatt Regency Saipan general manager Nick Nishikawa said the event provided participants an opportunity to get to know reach other in one of life’s enjoyable pastimes.

He said proceeds of the event will help a child fulfill a life-long dream and that is incredibly rewarding for the company.

A total of 26 teams made up of 106 players participated in a one-day fund-raising event that drew 45 corporate sponsors.

Organizers however have yet to release the total amount of the funds they have raised after the tournament, which ended with a banquet at the Hyatt Regency Saipan poolside.

The sponsors included Tan Holdings Corp., Ben’s International, Chong’s Corp., Chung Nam Corp., Coca Cola, Coral Ocean Point, DFS Galeria Saipan, Elite Printing, Grand Hyatt Fukuoka, Grand Hyatt Seoul, Hertz, Hyatt Regency Guam, Hyatt Regency Osaka, JC Marketing Inc., KZMI, Kautz Glass Co., Hyatt Hotel & Casino Manila, Joeten Motors, Laolao Bay Golf Resort, Luen Fung Enterprises, MARPAC, Marianas Eye Institute, Marianas Variety, MVA, Microl Corp., Mobil Oil Marianas, Northwest Airlines, Pacific Islands Club, Pacific Saipan, Pacific Trading Co., Pacific Wines & Spirits, PTI, Rota Resort, Sablan Topline, SaipanCell Communications, Saipan Sea Venture, Saipan Sunset Cruise, SandCastel, Sanki, Tinian Dynasty, Titan Imports, Triple J Motors, UMDA, Western Union, and Yaong Corporation.