Yi tops Docomo Golf Classic

The short rain delay did not rattle Chaeson Yi as the veteran par-buster ruled the hotly contested Championship Flight in the 5th Docomo Pacific Golf Classic held Saturday at the Laolao Bay Golf & Resort in Kagman.

The three-handicapper Yi tamed the 6,330-yard par-72 East course with a gross score of 69 to beat seven other golfers in the Championship Flight of the annual tournament, which got delayed due to the early morning rain and thunderstorm.

Chaeson Yi, left, receives his first place plaque and cash prize from Docomo Pacific general manager James Nelson after topping the Championship Flight of last Saturday’s 5th Docomo Pacific Golf Classic at the Laolao Bay Golf & Resort in Kagman. (Jon Perez)

He had a high/low score of six and with the tournament following a Peoria scoring system he finished with a 60 at the Greg Norman-designed layout for that one-shot win over J.J. Atalig.
Atalig shot an overall 75 with a three handicap and a high/low score of 11 gave him a 61, while Nick Sablan came in third with a 63.

Joseph Muna topped the A Flight for the second time with a 62 followed by Harry Nakamura’s 63 and the 64 of Peter Tenorio.

Luis Tilipao and Prescil D. Azarcon ended up tied on top of the B Flight, but the former won the crown after the scorecard playoff. Shen Kang placed third with a 58.

Frankie Santos bested 49 other golfers in the C Flight with a final score of 40 relegating Frank Duenas and Martin B. Ada to second and third with a 45 and 50, respectively.

A three-way tie took place in the Seniors Flight after Rick Kautz, Tars Olopai, and Norman Tenorio all finished with 57s. Kautz won the division after the scorecard playoff with Olopai and Tenorio finishing second and third, respectively.

Noriko Togawa topped the Ladies Flight with a 64 followed by the 65 and 66 of Jeong Young Im and Cai Yinnu, respectively.

Docomo Pacific ceneral manager James Nelson said the one-day fundraising event hit its goal after 144 golfers showed up.

“The Docomo Pacific Golf Classic has become one of the company’s signature events over the past years. Now it has grown to be one of the most anticipated tournaments. Though we follow a different scoring format, a lot of golfers still join every year,” said Nelson.

“More golfers mean more money for the Marians Tourism Education Council. We want the kids to get the funding they need. Now the program will also cover Tinian and Rota high schools. The young generation needs to know the importance of tourism to the island economy,” he added.