Yuko Togawa tops ladies flight

Ladies flight winner Yuko Togawa, fourth from left, poses with, from left, tournament director Vicente “Ben” Babauta, McDonald’s Guam and Saipan co-owner Marcia Ayuyu, runner-up Sherlyn Jones, third place Jean Me Ae, and McDonald’s Guam and Saipan owner Jose “Joe” Ayuyu during the awards banquet of the inaugural Ronald McDonald House of Charities Golf Tournament last Saturday at the Laolao Bay Golf & Resort. (MARK RABAGO)

Yuko Togawa proved to all and sundry that she’s the right choice as women’s national coach after topping the ladies flight of the inaugural Ronald McDonald House of Charities Golf Tournament last Saturday at the Laolao Bay Golf & Resort.

The Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture in Japan native shot a 7-over 79 to rule the women’s field after posting a 41 in the front nine and a 38 in the back nine.

Togawa, who has been playing the sport for the past 16 years, said last Saturday’s inaugural Ronald McDonald House of Charities Golf Tournament had perfect weather conditions.

“Weather was fine and very nice conditions at Laolao. I’m very lucky because of that and I won the very first McDonald’s tournament,” she said.

The 55-year-old said her most memorable hole of the tournament was hole No 7.

“I didn’t win a closest to the pin but I got a birdie in hole No. 7. First time I got into the green from the backside. That was about 200 yards!”

Togawa said she will purchase Christmas gifts for her family after winning the ladies flight’s top purse of $500.

Asked what winning the inaugural Ronald McDonald House of Charities Golf Tournament means for his stint as women’s coach for next year’s Pacific Mini Games here in the CNMI, Togawa said this: “I want to convey to the players of the national team the fun of seriously challenging golf tournaments.”

Coming in second to Togawa is her fellow CNMI Women’s Golf Association member Sherlyn Jones, who came away with a 9-over 81 (41-40), while third place went to Jean Me Ae who shot an 89 (46-43). Jones went home with $300, while Ae pocketed $200.

In the B flight, Domingo Atalig was promoted to A flight after winning the division with an 82 (42-40), while Juan “Shine” Tenorio and Ben Pelisamen completed the Top 3 after both finished with identical 83s. Tenorio (41-42), however, edged Pelisamen (40-43) in a scorecard tiebreak to take second place. Like the ladies flight, 1-2-3 in the B flight earned $500, $300, and $200, respectively.

Results of the C flight, senior flight, and super senior flight will be published in the next issues of Saipan Tribune.

Established in 1987, the Ronald McDonald House Charities has helped over 38,000 families from the CNMI, Guam, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Marshall Islands, Palau, and Hawaii. It’s not directly affiliated with McDonald’s Corp. or any of its restaurants and relies heavily on the support of the community to continue delivering services for those in need.