‘Brothers’ top low gross; Tenorio, Camacho win double peoria

Joe “Kamikaze” S. Camacho, right, and Joe C. Sasamoto pose with their low gross champions certificate a couple of days after topping the division of the 14th Annual Saipan Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament last Saturday at the LaoLao Bay Golf & Resort.(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Joe “Kamikaze” S. Camacho and Joe C. Sasamoto won the low gross competition of the 14th Annual Saipan Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament last Saturday at the LaoLao Bay Golf & Resort.

The blockbuster duo combined for a gross score of 11-under 61 to edge the 10-under 62 of the father-and-son pairing of J.J. and Justin Atalig and third place Harry Nakamura and Paul Kaipat, who registered a 6-under 66.

While technically cousins, Camacho and Sasamoto consider themselves brothers as the former’s father and the latter’s mother were siblings and the former’s mother and the latter’s father were also siblings. 
Camacho said winning with Sasamoto was a fulfillment of a lifelong dream for both of them.

“It really meant alot to both of us for teaming up and winning. It’s always been our goal to win together and what mattered the most besides winning was the time spent playing as ‘one’ even though I didn’t really show a lot of emotions but deep down inside it felt great and so fulfilling,” he said.

The LaoLao Bay Golf & Resort golf pro said their familiarity with each other’s golf game showed in the golf course and that’s why they won the low gross category. 

“It’s actually the chemistry between us that made all the difference, especially playing together. If there’s no chemistry between team players, then there is no team. I think I wanted to win the Chamber tourney as much as he did and we both made it happen,” said the 62-year-old Camacho, who is one year Sasamoto’s senior. 

Sasamoto shared his cousin’s sentiment, saying that “the win was great and even better getting it done with my brother.  It’s been our goal to get a win together and to do it against a very strong field was very rewarding.  There’s a lot of great players here and winning is never easy.  Teaming up with my brother is very special to me and always will be.  I will always appreciate and cherish these times as we are not getting younger and nothing is given.”  

As for the course and weather conditions, Sasamoto said last Saturday in Kagman was perfect golf weather. 

Peter “Dung” Tenorio, second from left, and Brian Camacho, third from left, topped the low double peoria division of the 14th Annual Saipan Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament last Saturday at the LaoLao Bay Golf & Resort. Also in photo are Chamber executive director Kim Camacho, left, Chamber vice president Joshua Wise, right, and Chamber director Ron Smith. (MARK RABAGO)

“Lots of sunshine and lots of wind is perfect for golf.  I think the biggest factor in us winning was our determination and the will to finish. To birdie our last three holes and win by one is a great example of how much we wanted this win and the concentration it took to pull it off. But I give a lot of credit to my brother because his putting was phenomenal and kept our round going in the early stages. It was a great win for us and hopefully many more to come.”

In the double peoria competition, Peter “Dung” Tenorio and Brian Camacho ruled the roost with a net score of 68.2, followed by Ricky Sablan and Joe Sablan Jr.’s 68.6 and Sylvio Ada and Nick Reyes’ 69.

Tenorio said them winning the double peoria category was more due to Lady Luck smiling at them as much as their skill on the Kagman golf course,

“Purely luck that was based on the random [drawing of holes]…it was a tough day [to play golf] because the wind was blowing and the pin location was very hard. We just played the best we could. Our score was OK but it was a little bit difficult for me,” said Tenorio.

Camacho agreed with his partner that the conditions were really tough, especially the hot weather. He also attributed their win to the randomness of the double peoria format. 

Winners of the gross and double peoria categories went home with $800 for first place, $650 for second place, and $500 for third place.

In the optional play category, Zhi Yun Li, Mizutani, Father James Balajadia, Jay Santos, and Joe Sablan won closest to the pin in their respective holes and were $150 richer, while Ben Duenas was deemed the most aggressive golfer and also pocketed $150.