FOR 30 years now, LaoLao Bay Golf & Resort has been providing amazing golf getaways for island residents and visitors.
This is the resort’s story as told by people who were there from the start—their longest-serving employees, who have been with LaoLao Bay Golf & Resort from year one.
Domingo Santos
Name: DOMINGO SANTOS
Position: Facility Maintenance Manager
Month and year you began working at Lao Lao Bay Golf & Resort: May 30, 1994.
What job did you have when you first began working at Lao Lao Bay Golf & Resort? What were your responsibilities and duties in that role? How have you grown at the resort? I came here first as an electrician, but this is a golf course, so you have to be a team player. So I extended my assistance to irrigation, restaurant, and accounting. In 2009, the Facility Maintenance Department opened and transferred me. They asked if I knew civil works, masonry, and carpentry. They tested my skills, and I showed them. Some of the cabinets I made are still here, from the maintenance room and kitchen, in different offices. I am happy to see that these are still in good condition and intact. In the clubhouse, if there are problems, I fix them. Then along the way, they hired two additional crews.
What was the resort like back in 1994? How is it different now? The work now is more complicated than before. Repair works become bigger. Before [LaoLao Bay], it was just the golf course and the shop. Today there are a lot of facilities open due to the expansion of Laolao Bay Golf & Resort.
What did you enjoy about working on Saipan in the ’90s? Getting together with the employees—sometimes we go to the beach, go fishing, and play golf.
Why did you decide to stay with LaoLao Bay? Salary and I still choose to stay here even though some companies have an interest in offering me a new job.
What do you enjoy about your job? I enjoy resolving issues. The things that I accomplish are fulfilling.
What are your coworkers like? Everyone is different. You have to know them one by one so you can work harmoniously together.
What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned in your 30 years at LaoLao Bay? Perseverance. And never giving up on any problem or issue I encounter because I want to help LaoLao Bay in the best way I know and can.
Could you describe some of the best memories you have at Lao Lao Bay Golf & Resort? Gatherings like at the Christmas Party. Every department has to perform and everyone participates. In my department, I am the one leading it to have the best performance, from costumes and all. I see the smiles on everyone’s faces during this event.
Do you like to golf? Yes.
Planning to retire soon? Not yet. If I can, I want to reach 35 years here in LaoLao, as long as I am alive, as long as the company needs me.
Federico Flores
Name: FEDERICO FLORES
Position: Heavy Equipment Operator
Month and year you began working at Lao Lao Bay Golf & Resort: April 18, 1994
What job did you have when you first began working at Lao Lao Bay Golf & Resort? Greenskeeper.
What were your responsibilities and duties in that role? How have you grown at the resort? [Being a] greenskeeper has much more responsibility than being a heavy equipment operator. [Being a] greenskeeper is…doing an all-around job.
What was the resort like back in 1994? How is it different now? What did you enjoy about working on Saipan in the ’90s? There were a lot of guests from 1994-1998, like 500 players a day.
Why did you decide to stay with Lao Lao Bay? What do you enjoy about your job? Dreams. I have a lot of dreams way back—to have my own house, and car, and support the education of my children. Even though you get tired, you just have to keep going for your dreams.
What are your coworkers like? I help them when they need it, I also teach them so our job will be easier
What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned in your 30 years at LaoLao Bay? I gained a lot of experience, which helped me to develop my skills.
Do you like to golf? Yes.
Melchor Perez
Name: MELCHOR PEREZ
Position: Irrigation Technician
Month and year you began working at Lao Lao Bay Golf & Resort: May 23, 1994
What job did you have when you first began working at Lao Lao Bay & Golf Resort? What were your responsibilities and duties in that role? How have you grown at the resort? My category was greenskeeper, but I have been working with irrigation ever since. So I know how to operate most of the equipment here, except the heavy equipment.
What was the resort like back in 1994? How is it different now? What did you enjoy about working on Saipan in the ’90s? Of course, before there were no problems with the fittings, sprinkler, etc. at the course, but now there have been a lot of changes, and some parts were already old and need repairs.
Why did you decide to stay with Lao Lao Bay? What do you enjoy about your job? Family. I have to stay for my children to have a good education. Most of them [have] already finished school. Though I have a small salary, it supports my family well. We’re so grateful that LaoLao Bay [Golf & Resort] continues to renew our contract.
What are your coworkers like? My coworkers are good. We have great teamwork. There were conflicts, but it is part of the job. If I see one of my coworkers, especially new ones, who is dedicated, I extend my help to teach them how to do the job.
What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned in your 30 years at LaoLao Bay? A lot. Companionship, patience, perseverance.
Could you describe some of the best memories you have at Lao Lao Bay Golf & Resort? When we played golf way back from 1994 to 1995 when we were not busy. Sometimes, we placed bets when playing.
Do you like to golf? Yes. We played with my coworkers sometimes when they asked me to play. But only for fun.
Presciliano Azarcon
Name: PRESCILIANO AZARCON
Position: Chef de Partie (Western Section)
Month and year you began working at LaoLao Bay Golf & Resort: November 11, 1994
What job did you have when you first began working at LaoLao Bay Golf & Resort? Cook
What were your responsibilities and duties in that role? Cooking employees’ daily meal
How have you grown at the resort? With old and new co-workers exchanging skills and specialties, it motivated me and gave me more knowledge about varieties of dishes. I can say that I am now more confident about my cooking skills.
What was the resort like back in 1994? Brand new, popular, lots of customers
How is it different now? Back then, we had a very small kitchen and we cooked for employees meals. Now, we have a big restaurant with occupancy for 200+ guests. We now offer “a la carte” orders and buffet, unlike before.
What did you enjoy about working on Saipan in the ’90s? Saipan is a U.S. territory, [so] earning dollars here is an advantage. Saipan is gives a higher rate of salaries compared to other countries.
Why did you decide to stay with LaoLao Bay? I found Laolao Bay Golf & Resort a very prestigious golf resort. It’s my second home and I am very proud of it.
What do you enjoy about your job? That after my duty, I can play golf.
What are your co-workers like? Although we are mixed races from Japan, South Korea, local, and Filipino, we have great teamwork.
What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned in your 30 years at LaoLao Bay? That as long as you are giving your dedication, your heart and your sincerity in working for the company that you love working at, then the management owner will treasure you. That’s why until now for 30 years, I am still here working in Lalao Bay Golf & Resort.
Could you describe some of the best memories you have at Lao Lao Bay Golf & Resort? I have lots of memories…like drinking sessions with friends , co-workers and even managers like we are family. Winning a championship tournament like [the Tournament of Champions] as B-Flight Champion and four other awards. Those moments were unforgettable.
Do you like to golf? I love golf.
LaoLao Bay Golf and Resort’s Executive, Administration, Operations, Housekeeping, and Facility Maintenance staff.
Dae Hyun Lee, left, is the Hotel Director of LaoLao Bay Golf & Resort, while Su Hyun Jung, right, is the Operations Director.
LaoLao Bay Golf & Resort’s Food & Beverage staff.
LaLao Bay Golf & Resort’s Front Desk, Sales & Marketing, and Housekeeping staff.
These are the employees that maintain LaoLao Bay Golf & Resort’s award-winning golf courses.
Joaquin San Nicolas has been working at LaoLao Bay Golf & Resort since 1995.
