Harry Nakamura wins JKPL golf tournament

Harry Taitano Nakamura Jr. poses for a photo after receiving news of his victory over other participants in the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library-benefitting golf tournament at Lao Lao Bay Golf & Resort on Nov. 12. (Michael T. Santos)

Harry Nakamura, recreational facility attendant at Lao Lao Bay Golf & Resort, won the second annual golf tournament hosted by the Friends of the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library.

“It feels good! I’ve been playing golf for about five to six years now and I actually started playing for the possibility of earning money. However, with the cash prize I won today, I plan on giving it back to my sponsor,” Nakamura said.

Nakamura had a net score of 68.80, making a 39 on the front nine and a 37 on the back with a handicap of 7.20.

Second place went to Nick Sablan with a net score of 70 and a handicap of 6 after hitting a pair of 38s. “We were all playing out here for a good cause. I just wanted to give back and help the kids utilize the library to become better members of society.”

Feng Chun Jin was third with a net score of 70.60 and a handicap of 2.40, logging a 36 on the front and 37 on the back, while David Largent was fourth with a net score of 72 and a handicap of 6 after firing a pair of 39s. Seung Woo Kang finished in fifth place with a net score of 72.20 and handicap of 4.8 as he drilled a 38 and 39 on the front and back nines, respectively.

Show time started at 6:30am with tee time at 7:30am. Lunch as well as raffle prizes were also offered post game.

One attendee, Ed Manibusan, said, “It’s great to be here to donate for a worthy cause and you know, just being with friends so the competition itself really is secondary.”

Alex Palacios, manager for Imperial Pacific’s Corporate Social Responsibility team, said, “We saw an amazing turnout today. This is the second annual golf tournament to help benefit JKPL. We’re happy to collaborate with them and hope to continue that partnership for the upcoming years.”

Erlinda Naputi, acting director for JKPL, said, “The turnout was pretty good. We weren’t expecting this many participants; we were looking at about 50. With the outcome today, it’s evident everyone is here for the library and they’re in support for the library.”

“We would like to extend our deepest appreciation for all our attendees, sponsors, donors, volunteers and off island golfers. Our corporate sponsor, Imperial Pacific, even donated cash and employees to support us on site. Without all of them, the golf tournament would not have been as successful as it was,” Naputi said.

The winners for the longest drive were Joe Itibus for hole No. 3, Tars Olopai for hole No. 7, Joey Dela Cruz for hole No. 13, Jeon Young Im for hole No. 17 and almost winning the 5,000 cash prize, and Kang Seung Woo for hole No. 10. Each one received a $200 cash prize.