Cepeda captures SGA December Ace

Youthful John “Captain” Cepeda carried out a steady tee-to-green game plan to win the Saipan Golfers Association December Ace of the Month Tournament to secure the last ace slot of the year with a net score of 66.

Twenty-two club members came out early Sunday morning, Nov. 27, and fought the swirling wind, constant teasing, and chatter of member “Moondong” Jung, and pounding hangover from the night before, and completed the last monthly tournament of the year.

Cepeda battled Rex “I Need Carbohydrates” Palacios hole by hole and beat Palacios by two strokes. Despite posting the tournament’s lowest gross score of 77, Palacios could not make up the seven-stroke handicap differential against Cepeda, who shot a gross score of 82. When the smoke cleared, Cepeda came in first with a low net of 66, followed by Palacios’ 68. Larry “Cagey” Guerrero secured the third spot with a low net 70, fending off Max “MCDC” Castro on a tiebreaker.

Second placer Rex Palacios scored the lone sub-80 gross score, while sharing the only sub-70 net scores with fellow competitor “Captain” Cepeda.

Playing in the first group with Palacios, James “Swinger” Balajadia, and Joe Sablan, Tony “Monster Drive” T. Benavente intimidated everyone with a booming 310-yard driver over the sentry trees on both sides of the fairway against a very strong wing on hole No. 2 and set the pace for the rest of the day with his gambling style of play.

Benavente won the longest driver contest on that hole and the closest-to-the pin contest on the very next hole with a delicate pitching wedge shot from the 168-yard tee marker. Facing out-of-bound stakes on the left, trees on the right and water in front, Jung “Am Old Man Already” Teack overcame all obstacles and won the other longest drive contest on hole number 12 with a low-boring drive against the howling wind.

Luis “My Wife Won’t Let Me Go To Manila” Cepeda pounded a four iron against the wind to the elevated green on hole No. 7 and placed his golf ball within a shoe-size distance from the pin to claim the contest on that hole. “Swinger” Balajadia was wondering why his shoes are so much bigger that “Uncle Lui”, but did not dispute the play as he was battling the strong wind himself all day long.

Ed “Hey, Am Not From Rota” Manglona and Rick “Are You Coming To My Wedding?” Kautz won the contests on hole Nos. 13 and 17, respectively, illustrating why being beefy is an advantage on a gusty day. Which, coincidentally, is why lady hacker France Sablan had all sorts of problems all day long carrying only 104 lbs. in body weight. When last seen, she was trying to put lead tapes on her shoes to keep from being blown off the fairways and exposed greens.

Post-tournament luncheon was held at president Ben Aldan’s farm with de facto SGA “chaplain” Joe “Piri Piri” blessing the food and alcohol and Uncle Norbert “You’re All My Nephews” Sablan entertaining the tired golfers with his a cappella rendition of Christmas songs, intertwined with “Monster Drive” Benavente’s Manila stories.

As scheduled, SGA will hold its Ace of Aces tournament on Saturday, Dec. 3. SGA will start at Laolao Bay Golf Resort west course. First tee-time is 7:30am. Members are encouraged to meet at the clubhouse at 7am for pairings. Second round will be at the east course commencing at 1pm. (PR)