Kang wins first golf tourney

Sun Ho Kang, third from left, accepts his $500 check for winning the championship flight of the 2nd Annual McDonald’s Golf Classic last Saturday at the Laolao Bay Golf & Resort. Also in photo are, from left, Mabel Glenn, McDonald’s Guam Saipan co-owner Marcia Ayuyu, and Jose Ayuyu Jr. (MARK RABAGO)

Sun Ho Kang won his first golf tournament after topping the championship flight of the 2nd Annual McDonald’s Golf Classic last Saturday at the Laolao Bay Golf & Resort

The 43-year-old owner of Music Bank Restaurant finished with a three-over 75 in a three-way tie with Feng Chun Jin and Norman Peter Tenorio, but bested the two via scorecard tie break.

All three tied with pars in the first playoff hole in No. 7, but Kang took the No. 1 spot when he birdied the second playoff hole in No. 11. Feng and Tenorio shot identical bogeys on that hole. The former then secured the runner-up spot by edging the latter in the last playoff hole.

“It was really good playing with everybody today. It was really a joy playing with everybody and there was good weather. So I’m really happy I won today. All three of us had a par in No. 7 and in the second playoff hole I luckily had a birdie,” he said. 

On the course conditions and the weather, Kang said he couldn’t really complain.

“The greens were really fast but the weather was perfect today. The only problem everyone had was the windy conditions. It was really difficult,” said the Incheon, South Korea native.  

Kang said he first took up golf as a 16-year-old studying on Saipan. He only picked up the sport again recently and is happy that all his hard work and practice in the golf course had paid off.

He said he plans to spend a portion of the $500 first place cash prize to treat his employees at Music Bank Restaurant with perhaps meals from McDonald’s. Feng and Tenorio, meanwhile, went home with $300 and $200, respectively.

In the A Flight, Brian Camacho topped the category with a score of six-over par 76, followed by Ned Norita and Joshua Atalig with scores of 80 and 82, respectively.

Justin Muzutani was without peer in the B Flight after shooting an eight-over 80 to rule the division. Carl Hocog came in second with an 81, while Mel Sablan was third with an 82.

Results of the ladies flight, seniors flight, and B flight will be reported in tomorrow’s issue of Saipan Tribune.

McDonald’s Guam and Saipan co-owner Marcia Auyuy thanked the following sponsors for their support of the 2nd Annual McDonald’s Golf Classic: Atkins Kroll, Triple J Motors, Joeten Motors, Stay Well Insurance, Pacific Daily News, MarPac Inc., Bank of Guam, KSPN2, Coca-Cola Beverage Company in CNMI, Bank of Saipan, ASC Trust, Tan Siu Lin Foundation, Bank of Hawaii, Matson Navigation, United Airlines, Bridge Capital LLC, Mobil Oil Marianas, Power 99, Micronesia Air Cargo Services, Guahan Waste Control, IT&E, Docomo Pacific, Herman’s Bakery, Chong’s Corp., RNV Construction, Saipan Computer Services, Westco, Sanford Technology Group, Megabyte, Marianas Variety, and Yaong Corp. 

Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit the Jose and Ruri Ayuyu Foundation, Inc., Make-A-Wish Foundation, Karidat Social Services, Ronald McDonald House, and the Salvation Army.