Kamikaze tops Inauguration Tournament

The Laolao Bay Golf Resort west course was busy on Saturday as 118 golfers scrambled through the tee boxes, fairways, and greens in the Inauguration Golf Tournament.

Out of the huge number, only one can be crowned champion and it was no surprise as veteran Joe “Kamikaze” Camacho emerged from the pack and took top honors with another impressive performance.

Camacho, who has won many other titles in the past, was presented a big shiny trophy at the end of the day after firing a gross score of 1-over 73.

His small handicap of 3.6 reduced the total number of strokes he took, resulting in a first place net score of 69.4.

Camacho started off with a respectable push in the front nine as he cruised through the first half of his tournament to finish with an even par 36, which was tied with five other golfers for the best nine-hole score.

Camacho continued to have his way on the course and closed out with a 1-over 37 after the back nine.

Sasaki Oliver, Joe Demapan, Joe Lizama, Ben Jones, and Andy Nepaial also posted 36 in one of their two nine-hole challenges.

Finishing in second place was Benedicto Lizama, who was consistent on the course and finished with a gross score of 86. He had a 43 on the front nine and duplicated the effort in his final holes to close strong.

Lizama got big numbers shaved from his gross score as his 15.6 handicap enabled him to finish with a net score of 70.4.

Lizama was actually tied with Tars Olopai, who also posted a net score of 70.4, however, officials handed Lizama the second place finish via scorecard tiebreaker.

Olopai took home third place as he posted a score of 48 in the front nine and 44 in the back nine to finish with a gross score of 92. He holds a 21.6 handicap, which brought his score down to 70.4.

There was another tie in the battle for fourth place as Byung Il Jang and George Moses both had net scores of 70.6. Jang was proclaimed winner and went home with a trophy via scorecard tiebreaker.

The two put up identical scores as both shot 44 in the front nine and 41 in the back nine to finish with a gross score of 85. Both also had handicaps of 14.4.

Others who made it to the top 10 were Joseph Mettao, who finished with a gross score of 84 and had a 13.2 handicap for a net of 70.8, and Oley Chung who posted the same net score as he also had a gross of 84 and a 13.2 handicap.

Roy Sablan, John Mettao, and John Tagabuel capped the top 10. Sablan had a net score of 71.2, Mettao finished with 71.4, and Tagabuel scored 71.6.

Also deserving recognition for their low gross scores were Jones (75), Nepaial (75), Oliver (76), Manny Tenorio (76), Mori Toshiyuki (77), Joe Lizama (78), Joe Demapan (78), Anthony Benavente (79), and Manny Blas (79).

All players, officials, and volunteers were then treated to a banquet after the tournament just outside the golf resort.

On hand to present the trophies and recognize the hard work of organizers was Lt. Gov.-elect Timothy P. Villagomez, who thanked everyone who took part in the tournament.

The event kicked off the weekend-long celebration that will be capped with the inauguration of Gov.-elect Benigno R. Fitial and Villagomez today at 3pm at the American Memorial Park.