Joseph Sasamoto, third left, holds his Ace of Aces trophy as he poses for a photo with the Marianas Golf Association officers.
Members of the Marianas Golf Association pose during the final round of the Ace of Aces tournament Sunday at Laolao Bay Golf & Resort.
Joseph Sasamoto
JOSEPH Sasamoto ended the Marianas Golf Association 2023 season with a bang by winning the coveted Ace of Aces title Sunday at Laolao Bay Golf & Resort.
Although Sasamoto had the lowest handicap — 3 — in the competition, he did not view it as a disadvantage but as a motivation to give his all.
On day 1 of the tournament on July 2, Sasamoto closed the 18 holes with a gross of 72 and, because of his 3 handicap, a net score of 69.
On day two, July 16, Sasamoto struggled to find his swing as he closed the front nine with three bogeys. But he improved his swing on the back nine, making one bogey only and shooting a birdie for a total gross of 75 and a net score of 72.
With a combined net score of 141, Sasamoto secured MGA’s Ace of Aces title.
In second place was Cal Yamagishi. With a handicap of 17, he shot a day 1 gross of 84 and a net score of 67.
But he struggled on day two, shooting a gross of 93 and a net score of 76 for a total net score of 143.
In third place was John Terlaje. With a handicap of 22, he shot a day 1 gross of 91 for a net score of 69. On day two, he shot a gross of 102 for a net score of 80 and a net total of 149.
Sasamoto not only bagged the title, but also collected a total of $300 cash in the optional play. He won the second shot on holes #2 and #8, and was the closest to the pin on hole #12.
Amier Younis clinched the second shot on hole #1 and the longest drive on hole #18 while Jesse Stole had the longest drive for holes #5 and #9.
Isaac Aguon bagged the second shot on hole #11 and was the closest to the pin on hole #14.
Beti Javier was the closest to the pin on hole #3; Cal Yamagishi was the closest to the pin on hole #7; Mel Sablan notched the second shot on hole #13; and Jay Muna took the second shot on hole #18.
