Greg Sablan repeats as SGA champ

Gregorio Sablan Jr. shows his trophies after winning the 2015 Saipan Golfers Association Ace of Aces tournament held over the weekend at the Marianas Country Club in Marpi and the Laolao Bay Golf & Resort’s west course. (Jon Perez)

Gregorio Sablan Jr. gets to keep the Saipan Golfers Association’s perpetual trophy for another year after winning the 2015 Ace of Aces tournament held over the weekend.

Sablan, who fired a 73 in Saturday’s opening day at the Marianas Country Club in Marpi, duplicated his score when play resumed at the west course of the Laolao Bay Golf & Resort last Sunday.

He was grouped with Day 1 leader John “Nanni” Cruz, SGA president Jung Eun Teack,and Juan “Jaan” Lizama in the final face-off at the Kagman golf facility.

Sablan shot 51 on the front nine after another bogey-filled start, including triple bogeys at the par-4 Nos. 4, 6 and 9. He had a better result at the back and started off with three straight even-pars to finish with a 40. He tallied a gross score of 91 and his 18 handicap gave him another 73. His 73-73 rounds earned him a 146 total for a one-shot win over Cruz.

Sablan, the October Ace of the Month, now joins two-time champions Jung (2001 and 2013) and Jose S. Demapan (2005 and 2008). He, however, is the first back-to-back champion.

Sablan, aside from the perpetual trophy, also won $300, free SGA membership for the whole year, and a lunch for two gift certificate from the Miyako Japanese restaurant at the Hyatt Regency Saipan. He received his October Ace of the Month and his own Ace of Aces trophies, too.

Sunday’s final day of SGA’s yearend event doubled as January Ace of the Month tournament with Sablan claiming the first monthly crown for 2016.

Cruz, the 2015 February Ace of the Month and opening day leader with his 69 net, had a 47-49 round at Laolao for a 96 gross and a 78 net. He finished with a 147 to settle for $200 and free SGA membership for 2016.

Jung, an 11 handicapper, was third after rounds of 73 and 77 to go home with $175 and a year’s free SGA membership. Attorney General Edward Manibusan, the January monthly winner last year and had a 5 handicap, finished fourth with his 151 (75-76).

Former Department of Community and Cultural Affairs Sec. Juan L. Babauta (155, 77-78); Nick Sablan (156, 79-77); and Jess Castro (156, 82-74) rounded up the Top 7 finishers.

Demapan also ended up with 156, Tony Guerrero finished with 157, Ed Sablan had 158, while Alex Tudela joined John Lizama and Frances Sablan with 161s. Larry Guerrero (166) and Ray Salas (180) were the other SGA members that completed the two-day tournament, while Steve Jang, Frank Castro, Rick Kautz, James Nelson, and Martin Ada joined only the first round.