Bae tops San Jose golf tourney

Korean pro Bae Yong Man tamed the Kingfisher Golf Links, becoming the only golfer to finish under par against the windy condition at the Talofofo course en route to winning the low gross division in the Inaugural San Jose Church Fundraising Golf Tournament Saturday.

Bae drilled a 1-under par 71 in the 6,216-yard course, as he had an impressive showing in the first nine holes with a 3-under par 33. Bae birdied the par-4 No. 3 and par-3 No. 6, and had a double birdie on the par-5 No. 9.

The Korean pro struggled in the last nine holes with a 2-over par 38 for a three-stroke win over flightmate Jess Wabol.

Wabol was off to a good start with an even par 36 on the front nine. Wabol nailed a birdie in the No. 9 hole, but faltered in his bid to wrestle the lead from Bae, as the former shot only a 38 on the back nine.

After saving par on hole Nos. 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14, Wabol lost his chance to take the lead when he bogeyed two of the last four holes on the back nines for a gross 2-over par 74.

Bae and Wabol received $300 and 200, respectively.

Completing the Top 3 and receiving $100 was Ned Norita, who shot a 3-over par 75 and beat Ralph Yumul on the scorecard playoff in hole No. 1. Norita birdied the par-5 No. 1, while Yumul only saved par.

In the Ladies gross, Kim Yang won the top purse of $300 after firing an 84 and defeating Clara Chang on the scorecard playoff. Yang bogeyed the No. 1 hole against Chang’s double bogey.

Yang had a 44 on the front nine, but redeemed herself on the back with 40. Chang was consistent with her 42 on both nines.

Wha Sook Guzman finished third with an 89.

In the double peoria division, Manny Batallones triumphed with his net 70.2. Batallones, who had a 10.8 handicap, shot a 40 on the front and 41 on the back to take home $300.

San Jose Parish Council president Manny Mangarero, who helped organize the event along with his fellow golfers, claimed second place and $250 cash with his net 70.4.

Mangarero, who had a 15.6 handicap, drilled a 41 and 45 on the front and back nines, respectively, for a gross 86.

Winning $150 for finishing third was Jesse Seman, who recorded a net 70.6. Seman registered an 8.4 handicap and fired a 1-under par 35 on the front and a 44 on the back for a gross 79.

Rounding off the Top 10 finishers in the double peoria division were Bae (71), Ralph Yumul (71.4), Ned Norita (71.4), Joe Lizama (71.6), Gus Camacho (71.6), Yasu Irinaka (71.6), and Chang (71.8).

The inaugural San Jose golfest drew 71 participants and had closest to the pin contests in three holes. Jerry Ayuyu won in hole No. 8, Ray Villagomez prevailed in hole No. 12, and Tars Olopai in hole No. 6.

Meanwhile, San Jose Parish priest Jesse Reyes and Mangarero thanked golfers, sponsors, and volunteers who made the event possible. They also bowed to make the tournament an annual event.