Atalig tops HANMI golf tourney

Five of the Top 9 of the 19th Annual HANMI Charity Classic Golf Tournament pose for a group photo during the awards banquet held last Saturday at the Coral Ocean Resort. (Mark Rabago)

Many time CNMI national golfer J.J. Atalig won the 19th Annual HANMI Charity Classic Golf Tournament held last Saturday at the Coral Ocean Resort.

Atalig, who shot a net score of 68 to win the championship of the double Peoria competition, said winning the HANMI tourney came as a complete surprise for him.

“I did not expect to win, it was all luck with the drawing of the holes. Course conditions were awesome and it was a great day for golf,” he told Saipan Tribune.

It was so unexpected that by the time Atalig’s name was announced as the winner, he was nowhere in sight as he already left the awards banquet.

Yuko Togawa came in second with a net score of 69.4 with Younghee Yoo finishing third with a net score of 69.6. Ben Jones Jr. and Peter Mendiola completed the Top 5 with net score of 69.8 and 70.2, respectively.

The rest of the Top 9 are Yang Kim (70.2), Chris Groves (70.4), Franco Santos (70.6), and Ray Quintanilla (70.8). Organizers also gave special awards to random place finishers Dan Ganacias (No. 19 with a net score of 71.8), Meae Jeon (No. 39, 73.2), Edward Reyes Jr. (No. 99, 76.2), and Mamoru Watanabe (No. 119, 77.8). The latter finished last in the tournament.

The 19th Annual HANMI Charity Classic Golf Tournament will benefit the 2022 Northern Marianas Pacific Mini Games, which will bring an estimated 2,000 visitors to the CNMI in June of next year.

The Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands thanked the many sponsors of the event. Presidential Suite Sponsors for this year’s tournament donating $2,000 or more are the Tan Siu Lin Foundation and Marianas Visitors Authority. Deluxe Package Sponsors donating $1,000 or more are Bridge Capitol LLC and Pacific Eco Laundry. Superior Package Sponsors donating $750 or more are GrandVrio Resort Saipan, Saipan World Resort, Kanoa Resort Saipan, IT&E, Kautz Glass, and Shirley’s Coffee Shop. VIP Package Sponsors donating $500 or more are Armatech, Ben’s International Corp., Chung Nam Corp., Chong’s Corp., Dial Rent to Own, DOCOMO Pacific Saipan, Ernst and Young, Ina’s Kitchen, Japan Saipan Travel Association, Kensington Saipan Hotel, Pacific Islands Club Saipan, Pacific Saipan, and Art Man Environment Corp.

Cash sponsors include Island Training Solutions, Korean Community of Saipan, Century Hotel, Lao Lao Bay Golf & Resort, Yaong Corp. K.L. Carr Ent., Sky Tour, Hana Tour, Mode Tour, Yes Tour, Oleai Beach Bar & Grill, and Pacific Eagle.

Donating a combination of cash and in-kind donations were Hyatt Regency Saipan, The Hut, Aqua Resort Club, Armatech, and IP&E Shell Marianas. The tournament was also supported by numerous other in-kind sponsors.

Golfers also had the chance to win several hole-in-one prizes, including a 2021 Toyota Camry LE from Atkins Kroll Saipan, a 2021 Hyundai Elantra from Triple J Motors, and a 2021 Nissan Kicks from Joeten Motors Company, and $10,000 cash from United Equipment Rental. No one was able to make an ace last Saturday, however.