LAOLAO Bay Golf & Resort successfully hosted the 1st Saipan International Junior Golf Open on Sunday welcomed 21 junior golfers for a morning of spirited competition and sportsmanship.
Players checked in at 6:30 a.m. for team photos before the 7:30 a.m. start. The field was split into two divisions:
A Flight (18U): Started on Hole 1 and completed 18 holes.
B Flight (14U): Started on Hole 10 and played 9 holes, featuring a unique island touch. In a nod to Saipan’s island heritage, the event featured sprouted coconut tee markers, adopted as a symbol of junior golfers’ growth with guardians serving as caddies to support pace and safety.
To ensure fairness and a smooth experience, eight rules officials accompanied the groups throughout the round. Following play, competitors, families, and supporters gathered at LaoLao Bay Golf & Resort restaurant, The Grill, for a lunch awards program and raffle, where trophies were presented to the champions and commemorative medals were awarded to all participants. Sponsor-donated raffle giveaways added to the celebratory atmosphere.
Winners
B Flight (14U) – Boys
1) William Guo 2) James Xiong 3) Yutaro Kitagawa
B Flight (14U) – Girls
1) Naomi Shen 2) Chloe Aquino 3) Sun-yul Park
A Flight (18U) – Boys
1) Zhiyun Li 2) Kevin Tan 3) Aiken Norita
A Flight (18U) – Girls
1) Sarah Lim 2) Cyrena Ada
“Our goal was to create a welcoming competition that motivates juniors to keep playing,” said Franco Santos, tournament director. “Seeing families caddie, cheer, and share lunch together showed exactly what community golf in Saipan is all about.”
Seong-uk “Joe” Jo, director of sales & marketing at LaoLao Bay and chair of the tournament committee, added: “Playing on a course recognized among the Asia-Pacific’s Top 100 is a special experience made possible here in Saipan, and it’s something golfers from other countries admire. Golf is a lifelong sport that families of all ages can enjoy together. By broadening the game’s base, we aim to keep raising quality of life across the Saipan community.”
LaoLao Bay extends appreciation to the tournament team — Franco Santos (tournament director), Tony Satur, Joe Chamacho, Ned Norita, Joseph Sasamoto, Ben Pelisamen, Kaegel Taitano, and Roy Kim — as well as volunteers Angelika Narvaez and Devine Pua. The resort also thanks its event sponsors for supporting junior golf and providing raffle prizes that made the day even more memorable.
1st place, A Flight 18U boys: Zhiyun Li
1st place, A Flight 18U girls: Sarah Lim
1st place, B Flight 14U boys: William Guo
1st place, B Flight 14U girls: Niami Shen
