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‘Nanni’ leads SGA Ace of Aces Day 1
John “Nanni” Cruz takes time before going for a swing during the first day of the Saipan Golfers Association’s Ace of Aces tournament held last Saturday at the Marianas Country Club in Marpi. (Jon Perez)
John “Nanni” Cruz survived a bogey-filled round to lead the opening day of the Saipan Golfers Association’s Ace of Aces tournament held last Saturday at the Marianas Country Club in Marpi.
The final round, which was also SGA’s January Ace of the Month, was played at Laolao Bay Golf & Resort’s west course yesterday and results were unavailable at press time.
Cruz, the February Ace of the Month winner, shot a 43 on the front nine and a 44 on the back for a gross score of 87 and his 18 handicap gave him a net 69. He holds a four-shot lead over October Ace Gregorio Sablan Jr. and SGA president Eun Jung Teack, who both ended up with 73s.
Sablan, whose birdie at 13th eased the pain of his 10 bogeys, fired rounds of 45 and 46 for a 91 gross. His 18 handicap earned him a net score 73.
Teack, the April Ace of the Month champion, was also not lucky as he even shot a 5-over at the par-4 No. 5 after encountering some problems with the water hazard. He posted 44 and 40 for an 84 gross, and with an 11 handicap, he ended up with a net 73.
Ten of the 26 SGA members listed for the weekend tournament did not compete on the first day.
Rick Kautz, Juan “Jaan” Lizama and Attorney General Edward Manibusan registered similar net scores of 76s, followed by the 77 each of former Department of Community and Cultural Affairs secretary Juan Babauta and Tony Guerrero.
Larry Guerrero had a 78, while Nick Sablan and Joe Demapan finished with a 79 and 80 respectively. Frances Sablan, Alex Tudela and Ed C. Sablan ended up with 81s, while Jess Castro had an 82 and Ray Salas came up with a 95.
Kautz was the longest drive winner at No. 2 with Frances Sablan duplicating the feat at No. 11. Manibusan had the closest to the pin shot at No. 6, while Nick Sablan did the same at No. 8, Frances Sablan at No. 12, and Cruz at No. 16.
