Jonny Sablan is MGA November Ace

Marianas Golfers Association members enjoy a morning round of golf in this file photo taken during the September Ace of the Month last Oct. 3 at the Greg Norman layout Laolao Bay Golf & Resort’s west course. (Jon Perez)

Jonny Sablan survived a bogey-filled day to clinch the Marianas Golfers Association’s November Ace of the Month held last Nov. 7 at the Laolao Bay Golf & Resort’s east course.

Sablan fired rounds of 46 and 44 for a gross score of 90 and with a 15 handicap handed him with a 3-over 75. He ended up tied with Joey Dela Cruz, who also had a 75 after the seven-handicapper’s 82 gross.

Dela Cruz started at the back nine where he ended up with a 1-over 37 but had a horrible round at the front with a 9-over 45 that had Sablan forcing the tie.

The MGA vice president lost to Sablan after the one-hole playoff at No. 9.

Sablan bogeyed holes No. 2, 8, and 15, double bogeyed in No. 4, 6, 9, 10, 11, and 18, had a triple bogey in No. 16, and quadruple-bogeyed the par-4 No. 5 that stained his birdies at 14 and 17. He also eagled the par-5 No. 3 and shot even pars in No. 1, 7, 12, and 13.

Ned Norita, the October Ace monthly winner, came in third with a 76 behind a gross score of 84 (40-44) and an eight handicap.

J.J. Atalig (president), Geri Dela Cruz (secretary), James Benavente (treasurer), Chandler DeLoatch (tournament director), Bill Camacho, Aaron Benavente, Tony Guerrero, Jenny Hegland, Carl Hocog, Greg Sablan Jr., Jack Salas, Jesse Seman, Dung Tenorio, and Calvin Yamagishi were the other MGA officers and members that played.

Nate Camacho, Kang Seung Woo, and Tony Satur were the guest players.

Atalig led the closest to the pin winners in No. 3, while James Benavente, Greg Sablan Jr., and Tenorio duplicated the feat in No. 7, 13, and 17.

Jonny Sablan now joins other Ace of the Month winners Harry Nakamura (January), Yamagishi (February), Seman (March), Erlinda Naputi (April), Hegland (May), DeLoatch (June), Jay Muna (July), Geri Dela Cruz (August), Louie Tilipao (September), and Norita (October).

The hunt for the final spot on the Ace of the Month, December, will continue on Dec. 5, Saturday, also at the Greg Norman-designed Laolao east course. Showtime is at 8am while tee off starts at 9am.

Dec. 5 will also be the first day of MGA’s Ace of Aces Championship where Atalig is reminding all monthly winners to come on time for the proper pairing.

“If they should be late there is a possibility that they’ll be disqualified from the Ace of Aces championship,” said Atalig in an email.