By Roselyn B. Monroyo
Variety News Staff

THE battle for the Saipan Golf Association’s April Ace of the Month title last Sunday on the east course of the LaoLao Bay Golf Resort was down to the wire as the top three placers were determined via a scorecard tie break.
At the end of the monthly tournament, Rene Batallones and January Ace Ray San Nicolas were tied scoring a net 68. The 10-handicapper Batallones drilled a 40 and 38 on the front and back nines, respectively, while the 17-handicapper San Nicolas nailed a 41 on the front and 44 on the back.
San Nicolas won the tiebreak as he had a par on the second tiebreak hole at No. 1. Batallones and San Nicolas both had a bogey on the first tiebreak hole at No. 7.
San Nicolas claimed the cash prize in the April Ace tournament, but since he had already won in Jnauary, Batallones secured the April Ace crown.
There was also a tie for third with Ray Salas and Steve Balakrishna both shooting a net 71. But Salas saved par on No. 7 against Balakrishna’s bogey to finish third.
The 20-handicapper Salas drilled a 43 and 48 on the front and back nines, respectively, while the nine-handicapper Balakrishna had a gross 80 (41 and 39).
Closest to the pin winners were Art Guerrero on No. 4, San Nicolas on No. 11 and Rick kautz on No. 15.
San Nicolas also prevailed in the longest drive contest on No. 1, while Batallones won on No. 10.