Lizama, Jones, Man top Memorial Classic

Bae Young Man, Shirley Jones, and Joe Lizama were the big winners of last Saturday’s Inaugural Refaluwasch Golf Association Memorial Classic at the Marianas Country Club in Marpi.

A total of 59 of the island’s golf course habitués took part in the competition, and Man, Jones, and Lizama recorded the lowest scores in the men’s and women’s gross score and double peoria categories.

Man, who hails from South Korea but has made Saipan his home the past several years, was the only player to finish under par with a gross score of 1-under 71.

He was uncharacteristically sloppy in the front nine, needing two extra swings to finish with a 38. Man then tightened up his game in the final nine holes, taming the greens and fairways with a blistering score of 3-under 33 to finish under par.

RGA tournament director Jess Wabol came in second in the pre-handicap category, carding a 2-over 74 built around a 38 in the front and a 36 in the back.

Retired Superior Court president judge Edward Manibusan settled for third place, following a 75 gross (37-38).

Jason Lee (76), RGA president Adam Hardwicke (77), and Jin Ahn (77) completed the Top 5.

The first-place finish was worth $300 for Man, while Wabol and Manibusan went home with $200 and $100, respectively.

In ladies gross, Shirley Jones was without peer after topping a four-player field with her 88 (45-43) and pocketed a cool $300 for her effort. Terry Attao came in second with her 102 (53-49) and earned $200.

Lizama, however, wound up with the day’s biggest payday after topping the double peoria category with his 62.2. He actually finished with a score of 91 but came away with the tourney’s top peoria score after his 28.8 handicap was deducted.

Jones (66.4) finished second to Lizama followed by Tom Tebuteb (67.4). Lizama, Jones, and Tebuteb were awarded $500, $300, and $200 for their performances.

Tony Benavente and John Mettao finished inside the Top 5 with scores of 67.6 and 68.4, respectively.

Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School was the beneficiary of some of the proceeds from the Inaugural RGA Memorial Classic, which was held to honor the club’s departed members Plas Tagabuel, Sid K. Peter, and Tony Taitano.

For more information about the results of the RGA’s 2008 Memorial Classic, contact Wabol at 233-3673, Ed Tenorio at 285-3305, Charlotte Camacho at 664-3400, Adam Hardwicke at 483-2326, George Cruz at 483-4655, and Martin Dalsaso at 286-6323.

The Memorial Classic was sponsored by a number of companies and individuals, namely

Fiesta Resort & Spa, Pacific Islands Club, Aqua Resort Club, LaoLao Bay Golf Resort, Saipan Stevedore Co., All-Stars Sporting Goods, Hyatt Regency Saipan, I-Connect, Palms Resort Saipan, Kingfisher Golf Links, Nippon General Trading Co., YCO Corp., Coral Ocean Point, Coco Restaurant, Saipan Grand Hotel, Dial Rent to Own, Coca-Cola, MARPAC, Pacific Trading Co., Saipan Shipping Co., YUNA Golf Range, DFS Galleria, First Hawaiian Bank, Café at the Park Gold’s Gym, Kautz Glass, Rep. Heinz Hofschneider, Rep. Edward T. Salas, Rep. Raymond Palacios, Reo. Ralph DLG Torres, Rep. Ray Tebuteb, Rep. Justo S. Quitugua, Rep, Joseph N. Camacho, Sen. Luis P. Crisostomo, Tropex Garden, Ben Jones and family, Kae Poong Co., Delta Management Corp. Radiocom, PL’s Water Company, Marianas Health Services, Juan L. Babauta and family, Advance Terminators, Western Union, New Fresh Market, Rep. Rosemond B. Santos, Speaker Arnold Palacios, Rep. Frank Dela Cruz, Marianas Resort & Spa, Asiana Airlines, and Pacific Quick Printing.