Malaran bids adieu to CNMI

The CNMI golf community is set to lose one of its active members, as Fil-Taga Golfers Association president Ted Malaran will be leaving the island next week.

Malaran will be returning to the Philippines after staying on Saipan for 22 years and playing golf for more than 15 years.

“I will be missing Saipan, which has been my home in the last 22 years. I will miss my co-workers and of course my fellow golfers,” said Malaran.

The outgoing purchasing manager/cost accountant of Aqua Resort Club started playing golf in 1992 through the influence of their then comptroller Arcan Lat. Since then, he has joined one tournament after another and eventually became president of Fil-Taga.

“I played tennis in Palau before coming to Saipan. I continued playing tennis here for a few more years and stopped when I couldn’t run anymore. That’s the time I picked up golf,” Malaran said.

He considered his victory in the C Flight of the HANMI Cup several years ago and the five-hole playoff against Melvin Gray in the Tournament of Champions as two of the most memorable competitions he joined in.

Malaran also counted the tournaments he helped organized to raise funds for worthy causes as contributions to the Commonwealth and he hopes Fil-Taga will continue holding fundraisers and regular events to help the CNMI.

“I have asked Rene Batallones to continue or do more of what we have been doing in the golf community to help move our slowing economy. By putting up at least two major tournaments every year and occasional weekend swings, it will help golf courses keep their personnel, it will keep the gas stations busy, and it will keep stores selling water, oranges, and snacks happy. In a small way, golfers help the economy moving. Keeping your money in your drawer does not help the economy at all,” Malaran said.

Batallones will be taking over Fil-Taga’s presidency when Malaran leaves on June 24. The incoming president is currently off-island and Fil-Taga official Mike Cruz, on the association’s behalf, thanked Malaran for his contribution.

“He is one of the most active Fil-Taga officials who puts his time and effort in organizing tournaments. We will definitely miss him. We wish him good luck in his new endeavor,” Cruz said.

Saipan Golfers Association, which last month co-hosted a Ryder Cup-style tournament with Fil-Taga, also had some good words for Malaran.

SGA official Marianas Fajardo during the awards ceremony for the Ryder Cup event said Malaran is always there to help or participate in tournaments other clubs organized, especially if competitions are for worthy causes. SGA went on to present Malaran a plaque of appreciation for his contributions to the CNMI golf community.

For his part, Malaran thanked all golfers who supported all the tournaments he organized and vowed to help host a competition in the Philippines for Saipan golfers.

“I would like to form a golf association in Manila and invite Saipan golfers to do a Ryder Cup in July next year,” he said.