Bae’s score of 74 was enough to clinch the victory in the championship flight and besting the performance of 11 other golfers.
“It was a good competition and although the wind was strong the weather was great,” Bae told Variety.
He said the tournament was “competitive” and he just came out and had fun.
Geon Ju Lee and Jun Park finished second and third respectively with gross scores of 75 and 76.
Meanwhile, in the A Flight, Jun Yi Piao and veteran golfer Tars Olopai tied with a gross of 79 that sent the game into sudden death beginning with Hole No.17.
After three attempts at breaking the tie, Piao finally won over Olopai by one stroke.
In an interview with Variety Piao said competition was great despite the strong wind. “I went out there today and gave it my best shot. I was determined to be victorious.”
When asked how he beat Olopai, Piao replied, “We were tied on Hole No. 18 and 17, but I beat him by two par on the first hole to top the flight. I gave the ball on Hole No. 1 a strong drive and got my ball on the green first than my opponent. Beating him by a stroke was amazing.”
“It feels great to make it into the championship round. I know I will be up against honed players and I have only been playing for about two years. Nonetheless I still look forward to more competitions and the upcoming Tournament of Champions,” said Piao.
A tie for third place was settled when Adam Lee beat Refaluwasch Golf Association’s Ned Norita in another sudden death game.
In the ladies’ flight, Lorraine Babauta finished at the top with 72.4 as second placer Aya Matsumoto finished with a 73.4. Jeong Yoon Kim took third place with a 79.
In the seniors’ flight, Refaluwasch Golf Association’s Joe Lizama posted the best net score of 78 to win first place.
Former Judge Edward Manibusan and Northern Marianas Amateur Sports Association’s hall of famer Tony Satur both grossed a total of 79. Satur’s birdie on Hole No. 8 vaulted him ahead of Manibusan in the standings.
Long-time golfer Rufin Inos topped the B Flight last Saturday with a score of 87. Inos competed in the debut game of the NMC Foundation’s open golf tournament back when it was first staged in 2003.
Guam Variety Operations Manager Amir Younis placed second with a score of 88. Younis while Shi Hong Jin placed third by posting a score of 89.
In the B Flight, Lito Mendoza led the field of 35 golfers with an 82 with Gil Santos and Joseph Muna in second and third places with 83 and 84 respectively.
“We saw a lot of high scores in the A Flight. We were wondering if it was the wind or something else,” said NMC Foundation’s President Vicente “Ben” Babauta in jest.
Other winners received the Closest-to-the-Pin Awards. Bae Young Man got the first award on Hole.3 followed by Ray Yumul on Hole No.13, and then Jun Park on Hole No.17.
AON Insurance donated $25,000 as a hole-in-one prize for Hole No. 13. Triple J Motors donated a brand new 2011 Hyundai Tucson GL as a hole-in-one prize for Hole No.17.
Delta Airlines donated a pair of Delta Airlines business-class tickets to the U.S. as a hole-in-one prize for Hole No.3.
NTT Docomo Pacific donated $2,500 in products; Continental Airlines donated airfare tickets to anywhere in Asia or Micronesia; the Hyatt Regency Saipan donated a gift package that included an overnight stay, lunch and dinner.
The top winner in each flight received $500 and a round-trip ticket from Continental Airlines. Second place winner for each flight received $300, and third place winner for each flight received $200.
