JJ Atalig won the 19th Annual HANMI Charity Classic Golf Tournament on Saturday at Coral Ocean Golf Resort.
The sold-out event hosted about 144 golfers who played in a “blackjack double peoria” competition with optional plays and a $10,000 hole-in-one prize.
JJ Atalig shined throughout the 18-hole course, clinching a net score of 68 to win the first prize of $500 cash.
Atalig’s best performance came early on hole #2 where he dropped a birdie from 20 ft. “I felt good throughout the day — I always like playing at Coral Ocean Resort,” he added.
Finishing second and third were female players Yuko Togawa and Younghee Yoo. Togawa’s net score was 69.4 while Yoo was 69.6. Each also received $500 cash.
In fourth place was Ben Jones Jr. with a net score of 69.8 followed by Peter Mendiola in fifth with a net score of 70.2 and a 10.8 handicap.
Yang Kim was sixth with a net score of 70.2 and a 16.8 handicap.
Jones, Mendiola and Kim each received $300.
In seventh, eighth and ninth places were Chris Groves (70.4), Franco Santos (70.4) and Ray Quintanilla (70.8). Each received $200.
The consolation prize winners were Dan Ganacia, Meae Jeon, Edward Reyes Jr. and Watanabe Mamoru, each of whom received $100.
Optional play
Players not only fought for the top spot, but for the optional play as well which offered various opportunities to win more cash and other prizes.
The Closest to the Pin awardees on hole #3 were Mark Sablan (338in), Ed Manglona (324in), Joshua Atalig (296in), Sato Kasuhiro (88in), Balik Thompson (147in), Freddy Cataluna (95in) and Zhiyun Li (12.5in).
On hole #7: Joe Sablan (188in) Keone Chariton (159in) and Das Krishnan (155in).
On hole #14, Sato San (49.5in), Kim Young (32.8in), DJ Narro (19.7in) and Jeon Meae (7.8in).
As for the Men’s Longest Drive awardees on hole #11 they were Frank Castro (188 yards), Palik Thompson (195 yards), JJ Conception (231 yards), Syl Ada (244 yards), Ben Pelisamen (254 yards) and Ben Jones Jr.(262 yards).
Enjoyable
Tournament chairman Glenn Policare of Kanoa Resort Saipan said they have used the blackjack double peoria format for years now, “and all the players seem to enjoy it.”
He added, “You don’t have to be the best golfer in the world, or anywhere for that matter, to win our tournament. Our committee wants to make sure that everyone has fun on the course.”
And although the Covid-19 continues to pose a threat, Policare said they are grateful for the government’s public-health efforts that made the tournament happen.
“In June of this year, the CNMI moved to Community Vulnerability Level Green,” he said. “The level of dedication of the island to keep all of us safe allowed us to hold our event while still maintaining safety guidelines. There are many places in the world at the moment where a tournament like ours would not be possible. The CNMI has taken this pandemic very seriously which allowed us to see some serious golf this weekend,” Policare added.
He noted that a portion of the proceeds from the tournament will help fund the Pacific Mini Games that Saipan will host next year.
“This will be one of, if not the biggest event ever held on Saipan,” Policare said. “As many of the 1,400 athletes from 19 countries will be staying in our partner hotels so the decision to assist Pacific Mini Games 2022 was an easy one.”
JJ Atalig
Younghee Yoo, Yuko Togawa and HANMI Chairwoman Gloria Cavanagh pose during the awards ceremony of the 19th HANMI Charity Golf Tournament on Saturday at Coral Ocean Golf Resort.
