Previous Story
Ganacias wins HANMI Golf tourney
|
Posted on Sep 23 2022
Leo Ganacias, center, won the 20th Annual HANMI Charity Classic Golf Tournament held last Saturday at the Laolao Bay Golf & Resort. (MARK RABAGO)
Leo Ganacias topped the 20th Annual HANMI Charity Classic Golf Tournament held last Saturday at the Laolao Bay Golf & Resort.
The 60-year-old RadioCom vice president shot a net of 68.80 in the double peoria tournament to win the fundraising event. Junior golfer Joshua Atalig came second with his net of 70.20, while rounding out the Top 3 was Chris Graves with his net of 70.40.
Ganacias, who represented Guam senior golfers during the HANMI golf tourney, had an inkling that he’d eventually come out on top after shooting a gross score of 76 that included a couple of birdies in holes No. 9 and the 18.
“I basically played my game and stayed away from double [bogeys]. That’s a good thing. Shot a couple of birdies and had some very good putts and just enjoyed the day,” he said.
The longtime Fil-Taga Golfers Association member also thanked Mother Nature for postponing the rain showers until the end of the 18-hole tourney.
“It started nice but toward the end on the last two holes it started to drizzle but we got out there in time from the heavy rain. It worked out very well and at the same time we were all getting hungry and we got some good food after that,” said Ganacias.
The avid biker added that the key in winning peoria or even double peoria golf competitions is just to play your game and not be caught up with what holes you need to be good at.
“I’ve done the peoria format before and I think if you could stay away from bad holes like doubles or triples and maintain pars and maybe a couple of birdies and hopefully you’d hit the right holes [you’d be fine]. It’s double peoria so you really don’t know so just basically give yourself a chance and stay away from the big numbers,” he said.
On how he intends to spend his winnings, Ganacias said “I’ll share it with somebody.”
Ganacias also thanked the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands and organizers of the golf tournament for a perfectly run 20th Annual HANMI Charity Classic Golf Tournament.
“They did a fantastic job, very, very professional and the course was in a very, very fine shape. It was an awesome tournament and I’m looking forward to next year’s event.”
Proceeds from the tourney will go to Northern Marianas Technical Institute.
