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Sablan rules JKPL golf fundraiser
Nick Sablan, fourth left, poses with organizers of the 3rd Annual Friends of the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library Golf Tournament held last Saturday at the Laolao Bay Golf & Resort. (Jon Perez)
Nick Sablan celebrated the rest of Saturday afternoon with his golfing buddies after winning the 3rd Annual Friends of the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library Golf Tournament held at the Laolao Bay Golf & Resort’s east course.
Sablan finished with a gross score of 81 after shooting a 39 on the front and a 42 on the back in the double peoria tournament. He had a 12 handicap giving him a final score of 69 for a slim .80 win over Prescil Azarcon. The veteran golfer etched his name on the perpetual trophy, joining the likes of inaugural winner Joey C. Dela Cruz at Coral Ocean Point Golf Resort on Sept. 29, 2012 and Harry Nakamura at Laolao’s west course on Nov. 12 last year.
Sablan claimed the $300 top prize but chose to donate his winnings to the fundraising event. He had 1-over-par at hidden holes Nos. 1 and 5, and again at Nos. 10 to 12, and 17 and 18.
Azarcon shot 43 and 40 for an 83 gross and a 69.80 net following his 13.20 handicap to go home with $250, while Rota’s Ed Manglona came in at third with a 69.80 net (46-43, 18 handicap) for $200.
CNMI Attorney General Ed Manibusan, Jong Hoon Park, and Ben Maboran ended up tied from fourth to sixth places with their 71.60 net. Manibusan claimed the fourth spot after the tiebreaker, while Park settled for fifth place.
Manibusan and Park had similar gross scores of 40 on both nines for an 80 and also had identical 8.40 handicaps. Manibusan went home with $150, while Park gained $100.
Meanwhile, former Lt. Gov. Diego Benavente had the longest drive at 272 yards at the par-5 No. 18, while Ryan Kim led the closest to the pin winners at five feet at No. 4. Manglona won No. 6 at nine feet and nine inches, while youngster Edward Lee was the closest to the pin winner at No. 11 at 10 feet and 10 inches. Carl Hocog and Jerry Kintol were tied at No. 15 at four feet and 11 inches. The longest drive and closest to the pin winners each received $200.
A total of 125 golfers signed up for the fundraising tournament with 101 showing up to compete in the one-day event. All proceeds will help fund the activities, programs, and services provided by JKPL on Saipan, the Tinian Public Library, and Rota’s Antonio C. Atalig Memorial Library.
