Atalig rules Hyatt charity golf

From left, J.J. Atalig, Lee Geon Ju, Kang Seong Woo, Joey Dela Cruz, and Choi Seung enjoy a light moment before resuming play in last Saturday’s Hyatt Regency Saipan Charity Golf Classic held at Coral Ocean Point Golf Resort. (Contributed Photo)

Atalig fired a 77 after 18 holes to tame the 7,015-yard course and beat a strong field of competitors in the A Flight of the annual fundraising golf tournament, which is now on its 19th year.

It was Atalig’s second crown in less than two months after winning the two-man scramble best ball-format 2014 Steven Brownstein/Saipan Chamber of Commerce Golf Classic with teammate Joey Dela Cruz on Oct. 11.

Only one shot separated each of the Top 3 finishers in the A Flight with Lee Geon Ju firing a 78 and Jin Feng Chun finishing with a 79.

Jonathan Tenorio (74), Frankie S. Pangelinan (79) and Roy Ada (81) were the Top 3 finishers in the B Flight, while Greg Sablan (90), Steven Sablan (92) and Matthew Deets (92) duplicated the feat in the C Flight.

Steven Sablan and Matthew Deets finished tied for second, but the former clinched the runner-up honors in the C Flight based on the scorecard tiebreak.

Eddie Peters ruled the Senior Flight with the tournament’s lowest gross score of 76, while attorney general-elect and former Superior Court presiding judge Edward Manibusan placed second with a 79 and Toshiyuki Mori came in at third (83).

Perennial women’s champion Noriko Togawa topped the Ladies Flight with an 83, just one-shot ahead of runner-up and daughter Yuko. Aya Matsumoto completed the Top 3 finishers with her 90.

Organizers of the 19th Hyatt Regency Saipan Charity Golf Classic, formerly known as Club at the Hyatt Golf Classic, collected more than $141,000 in cash and kind donations.

Tournament organizers thanked their event partners, contributors, golfers, and the volunteers, who gave their time and effort to help make the charity golf classic a successful event.

Hyatt partner hotels in other countries donated $21,000 worth of room accommodations and meals, while local sponsors gave away $120,000, including $66,000 in hole-in-one and raffle prizes.

Proceeds from the tournament will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Ayuda Network, and the CNMI Salvation Army.

Hyatt Regency Saipan general manager Nick K. Nishikawa thanked everyone who helped in their own way whether big or small.

“On behalf of Hyatt Regency Saipan we would like to thank all the sponsors and golfers for their generosity and enthusiasm. Their support will grant wishes for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, open new opportunities for the Ayuda Network, and assist the CNMI Salvation Army’s soup kitchen,” said Nishikawa.

He added that those who donated would “make smiles bigger and brighter, because without their support none of this would be possible. Goals will be met and relationships will be forged when we take care of our community with shared commitment.” (Jon Perez)