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Sablan enjoys trip down memory lane
Jose Sablan, right, and his son Frank Sablan Sr. enjoy a light moment after watching the Saipan Vegas Invitational Tournament last Saturday at the Saipan Country Club. (Jon Perez)
Jose Sablan was brought back down memory lane when he joined his son, Frank Sablan Sr., in watching 36 golfers compete in last Saturday’s Saipan Vegas Invitational Tournament at the nine-hole Saipan Country Club.
SCC was the first golf course on the island, built in 1948—not 1962 as previously reported—through the efforts of then Navy Commander Gene Holbrook.
Sablan said that the course was only nine holes since that was the only available land back then—a few years after Saipan’s liberation during World War II.
“Every month, the military had a tournament here. I started to caddie for them after school,” Sablan, who was still in 8th grade then, told Saipan Tribune. “Schools on Saipan only have up to eighth grade. If you want to go to high school, you go off island.”
It was through caddying up to military personnel that the many-time CNMI national golf team member learned to play golf.
“From school, I would go here. Back then it was known as Whispering Palms.”
Sablan is considered one of the legends in the sport in the CNMI, as he has won more than 50 titles and has represented the Commonwealth in numerous Pacific Games, which was then known as South Pacific Games.
“Little has changed. The layout is almost the same,” said Sablan.
Meanwhile, Yoon Dae Young ruled the invitational tournament after shooting an even par 32. He also took the closest to the curved line honors at No. 3.
Closest to the pin winners were Tars Olopao (No. 1), Kang Kee Hyun (No. 2), Sueng Bang Kim (No. 5), Bong Kil Kim (No. 6), and Manny Mangarera (No. 9). Sueng Bang Kim also won the straightest drive at No. 4, while veteran Joe “Kamikaze” Camacho had the longest drive at No. 7, and Dan Ganacias earned the closest shot at No. 8.
Winners received SCC and Saipan Vegas gift certificates and other prizes from tournament sponsors.
