Deleon Guerrero, Aguon are low net winners

Low net winner Ray Aguon is flanked by Commonwealth Cancer Association members, led by president Roman “Bo” Palacios, during the awards ceremony of the Inaugural Commonwealth Cancer Association Golf Open Fundraising Tournament held last June 19 at the Laolao Bay Golf & Resort. (Mark Rabago)

Ray Aguon and Gerald Deleon Guerrero won the low net category of the Inaugural Commonwealth Cancer Association Golf Open Fundraising Tournament held last June 19 at the Laolao Bay Golf & Resort.

Aguon and Deleon Guerrero fired a net score of 67.60 after a gross score of 2-under 70. The duo sported a 2.40 handicap and went 36 in the first nine holes and 34 in back nine holes. Palik Thompson and John Matsumoto finished second, while former representative Larry Guerrero and Fred Camacho completed the Top 3.

The 27-year-old Deleon Guerrero, who is 12 handicap, said he and Aguon just played their game and took it one hole at a time.

“We just remained patient and made our shots,” he said.

Deleon Guerrero also joked that he won’t divulge to his partner, Aguon, that they won the low net competition. The 14-handicap Aguon already left by the time the awards ceremony started.

But kidding aside, Deleon Guerrero said he and his 51-year-old golf partner took part in the tournament because it was a for a good cause.

“Very good day for golf. We also just wanted to be here to support the cause. The Commonwealth Cancer Association whenever there’s government functions they always out there supporting so it’s high time we give back to them,” he said.

A total of 28 pairs took part in the two-person best ball double Peoria low net category of the CCA golf tournament. CNMI national golf team mainstays Joe “Kamikaze” Camacho and Marco Peter topped the low gross category, while Joung Hoon Park and Sun Ho Kang and junior golfers Jian Zhi Min and Zhi Zhi Min finished second and third, respectively.

CCA executive director Juan L. Babauta congratulated the winners and thanked everyone who took part in the non-profit organization’s first foray into a golf fundraising tournament. He also thanked all the sponsors and volunteers who made the event a rousing success, adding that funds raised in the CCA Golf Open Fundraising Tournament will benefit the CCA’s programs and essential services.

In 2003, CCA began as an alliance of volunteers and became formally chartered and incorporated in 2008. It achieved a tax-exempt under 501 (c)(3), status in 2009 and since then has been providing direct client financial assistance such as nutritional supplements and other personal needs, as well as offering certain types of medical equipment, e.g. hospital beds, wheelchairs, oxygen concentrator, etc. as prescribed by locally licensed physicians in the CNMI to those individuals who are receiving treatment for cancer.

Babauta also encourages the community to learn about CCA’s programs and contribute to the very important and worthwhile work of the association. For more information, you can contact CCA at 682-0050 or via email at ccamarianas@gmail.com, or visit our website at www.ccamarianas.org or visit the CCA office at the Gualo Rai Plaza Building, located along Chalan Pale Arnold Middle Road in Gualo Rai.