By James Sablan
james@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
THE Saipan Golf Association ended its 2025 monthly tournament calendar in dramatic fashion Sunday, Dec. 21, as Ton Tomokane emerged victorious in a three-way tie to claim the December Ace of the Month title at the Coral Ocean Resort golf course.
The final monthly tournament of the year featured an exciting battle for the top spot, with three golfers finishing with identical net scores of 71. The contenders — Alex Tudela, Ton Tomokane, and Rick Kautz — showcased consistency and grit throughout the round.
Alex Tudela fired the lowest gross score of the lead group, shooting 42 on the front nine and 44 on the back for a gross total of 86. With his 15-handicap, Tudela’s net score stood at 71. Rick Kautz followed closely, carding a gross 84 (41-43) which, combined with a 13-handicap, also resulted in a net 71.
Ultimately, it was Tomokane’s steady back-nine performance that broke the deadlock. After opening with a gross 44 on the front nine, he improved slightly on the back with a 43, finishing with a gross total of 87. With his 16-handicap, Tomokane’s net score was 71.
Because Tudela had already won the September Ace of the Month title, he was excluded from the three-way tie. Using the scorecard playoff method, Tomokane’s overall performance outshone Kautz’s, securing him the December Ace of the Month honor.
The day also featured sharp shooting across the resort’s challenging fairways in optional play. Closest to the Pin winners included Alex Tudela (hole 3), Freddie Cataluna (hole 7), Das Krishnan (hole 12), and Ton Tomokane (hole 14). Longest Drive honors went to Frances Sablan (hole 4) and Freddie Cataluna (hole 18).
With this victory, Tomokane officially joins the elite field of monthly winners in 2025: Larry I. Deleon Guerrero (January), Joe I. Sablan (February), Mariano Fajardo (March), Freddy Cataluna (April), Jung Eun Teack (May), Rene Batalones (June), Das Krishnan (July), Joe Crisostomo (August), Alex Tudela (September), Ed Manibusan (October), and Phil Sablan (November).
James Sablan has been a sports reporter for Variety since 2013. He was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College and covers all local sports.
