By Roselyn B. Monroyo
Variety News Staff

RAY San Nicolas earned the first slot in the Saipan Golfers Association’s Ace of Aces tournament after ruling SGA’s January Ace tournament last Sunday at the Marianas Country Club in Marpi.
San Nicolas, who also qualified for the Ace of Aces tournament last December after claiming the 2006 October Ace title, shot a net 68 for a one-stroke win over Frances Sablan and Ned Norita.
The 11-handicapper had an impressive game on the front nine shooting a 1-over par 37. He also had birdies on hole Nos. 6 and 9.
San Nicolas fired a 42 on the back nine for a gross 79.
Sablan and Norita both nailed a 69 with the former winning the tiebreak and claiming the second spot.
The 29-handicapper Sablan shot a 49 on both nines for a gross 98, while Norita fired a 42 and 41 on the front and back nines, respectively, for a gross 83.
The 14-handicapper Norita also nailed birdies on the par-3 No. 3 and par-4 No. 14.
Rick Kautz scored the lowest gross among the 22 participants in last Sunday’s tournament with his 2-over par 78. The 5-handicapper was consistent with his game posting a 39 on both nines for a net 75.
Kautz won the two longest drive awards on par-4 holes No. 8 and No. 11.
Four participants had closest to the pin shots with Norita on No. 3, Sablan on the par-3 No. 7, Larry Deleon Guerrero on the par-3 No. 15 and Steve Balakrishna on the par-3 No. 17.
Balakrishna shot a net 72 for fourth place and was followed by Art Deleon Guerrero (72), Kautz (73), Joe Sablan (73), Rene Batallones (74), John Matsumoto (75), Tony Deleon Guerrero (76), Jung Eun Teack (77);
Ed Manibusan (82), Norbert Sablan (82), Larry Deleon Guerrero (83) Ju Young Kim (83), Das Krishnan (85), John Cruz (85), Mariano Fajardo (85), Ray Salas (88) and Martin Sablan (90).