Alumnus leads winners in Mt. Carmel golf

Junior golfer Chang Kyun Kim made his alma mater proud by winning the championship flight of the 7th Annual Mount Carmel School Golf Tournament last Saturday.

The 19-year-old Mt. Carmel School alumnus tamed the greens and fairways of the Laolao Bay Golf Resort west course, shooting a 2-under par 70 to lead the list of winners in the fundraiser for Saipan’s lone Catholic learning institution.

Kim outplayed grizzled veterans after carding a 1-under par 35 in both the front and back nines.

It was the third career win in the championship flight for Kim, who only graduated from Mt. Carmel School last year.

“I just played my game and I’ happy I was able to win my flight,” said the unassuming Korean golfer who thanked his father and mother for allowing him to pursue the sport of golf.

Kim also gave kudos to his golf instructor, Joung Hoon Park. “He’s been my instructor the past four years and I would also like to dedicate the win to him,” he said.

Finishing second to the junior golfer in the championship flight was Mr. Unorthodox, Jess Wabol, who came away with an even 72 following a 36-36 in the front and back nine.

Another Korean, Jung Won Lee, came in third after tying Wabol’s 72. He, however, settled for second runner-up honors after losing in a scorecard tiebreak.

In the A flight, businessman Rene Batallones topped the division with his 78 (40-38). Rey San Nicolas and Greg Castro came in second and third with scores of 80 (43-37) and 84 (45-39), respectively.

Jose Itibus, meanwhile, won B flight with his 81 (39-42) with Lucio Aldan (82, 40-42) and Frankie Pangelinan (83, 42-41) coming in second and third.

C flight, on the other hand, belonged to John Matsumoto with his 85 (44-41) followed by Michael Park (87, 44-43) and Rick Balajadia (89, 43-46).

Retired Superior Court president judge Edward Manibusan continued his domination of seniors flight, registering the day’s second lowest score of 71 (34-37) to top the division. Nick Sablan (72, 35-37) and Jess Taitano (77, 37-40) were the runners-up.

In the ladies flight, Yang Kim edged Kyun A. Yang on a scorecard tiebreak after the two women finished with an identical net score of 68. Eun Ae Chang was third with her net 73.

The 7th Annual Mount Carmel School drew more than the 60 participants organizers were expecting, according to the school’s president Margaret Dela Cruz.