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Junior golfer rules HANMI tournament
Champion Edward Lee, second left, joins other winners of the 18th Annual HANMI Charity Golf Classic and the Hotel Association of Northern Mariana Islands officials for a group photo during the awards ceremony for the fundraiser last Saturday at the Fiesta Hall of Grandvrio Resort Saipan. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)
Junior golfer Edward Lee recorded his second straight victory in less than a month after prevailing in the 18th Annual HANMI Charity Golf Classic held last Saturday on the west course of the Laolao Bay Golf & Resort.
Lee, who topped the Championship Flight of the 23rd Hyatt Regency Saipan Charity Golf Classic that took place late last month, this time ruled the double-peoria contest (blackjack) after firing a net 67. The 15-year-old shot a 4-over par 40 on the front nine before coming out swinging on the back with a 3-under par 33 for a gross 73. Lee had a 6 handicap and deducting that from his gross, he ended up winning by more than two strokes against runner-up Juan Diaz and Franco Santos.
Diaz, a who had a 22.80 handicap, recorded a 43 and 49 on the front and back nines for a gross 92 and net 69.20. The 8.40-handicapper Santos, on the other hand logged a 41 in the first nine holes and 37 in the last for a gross 78 and net 69.60.
Joining Santos, Diaz, and Lee in the Top 5 and winning $500 each plus hotel accommodations were Shayne Villanueva and Mae Ae Jeon. Villanueva, a 22.80 handicapper, posted a 48 and 45 on the front and back nines, respectively, for a gross 93 and net 70.20. A 41 on the front and 38 on the back gave Jeon a gross 79 and minus her 8.40 handicap, she tallied a net 70.60.
Meanwhile, HANMI also awarded prizes to the No. 6 to No. 15 finishers. Mel Sablan registered a net 71 to place sixth and was followed by Ned Norita (71.60), John Cepeda (71.60), Ed Manibusan (72), Bi Weon Park (72.20), Brian Boyer (72.20), Alex Tudela (72.60), Marco Peter (72.60), Tsukasa Kuribayashi (72.60), and Sylvio Ada (72.80).
This year’s HANMI golf tournament reached its maximum number of participants—144—and proceeds from the fundraiser will be used for the group’s various community projects.
“We would like to thank all the sponsors, golfers, volunteers, and all those who helped make this year’s 18th Annual HANMI Charity Golf Classic a success. We hope to see you next year,” HANMI chair Gloria Cavanagh said last Saturday night during the awards ceremony for the event at the Fiesta Hall of the Grandvrio Resort Saipan.
