By James Sablan
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Variety News Staff
THE Amigos Golf Club concluded its 2025 with its annual awards banquet, on Saturday held at the Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan, where they announced the Ace of Aces champion, Nick Kapira Reyes, as well as the non-ace winner, Sylvio Ada.
The best of the best showcased a masterclass of consistency across two days of play held at LaoLao Bay Golf & Resort west and east course on December 13 and 14, but it was Nick Reyes who emerged as the 2025 Ace of Aces champion.
The competition was fierce on the west course of day 1. Although Reyes did not have the best performance, he maintained his composure and concluded with a gross of 83. Fortunately, he sported a handicap of 15 which then brought him to the front of the line holding a net score of 68. He recorded 28 putts and eight pars.
During day 2, Reyes continued his “stead-as-she-goes” approach, navigating through the east course greens with enough precision to shoot a gross score of 85 and, with the aid of his handicap, was reduced to a net score of 70.
Combining both net scores, he accumulated a commanding two-day net total of 138 to clinch the Ace of Aces title by just one stroke.
Settling for second place was Fredd Salavaria. He made waves earlier in day 1, closing out with a gross of 81 – one of the lowest grosses scored amongst the competition which turned into a net of 72 with a 9 handicap. finished just one stroke behind with a total net of 139. Despite charging into day 2 with the lowest gross of 76 to end with a net of 67, he still fell short holding a net total of 139.
In third place was Joe Torres with a net total of 143 followed by Dung Tenorio (147), Ben Duenas (148), Nick Guerrero (148), Chris Guerrero (151), Joe Sablan Jr (152), Rick Sablan (155), and Jay Muna (157).
Non-ace tournament
The rest of the members may not have been eligible to compete in the Ace of Aces tournament but still had some action as they competed for bragging rights as the non-ace champion.
Syl Ada secured a hard-fought victory, opening with a day 1 net score of 72 and followed it up with a tournament-low net of 70 on day 2. Finishing with a net total of 142, Ada successfully fended off Sixtus Aquino and Joe Tudela, who both finished tied for second sharing a net total of 144.
Ed Manglona and Frank Sablan shadowed behind the top three, sharing a net total of 145 followed by Francis Mendiola (147), Sherlyn Jones (157), Joe Camacho (158), Tony Satur (159), and Manny Tenorio (164).
Aside from the champions, the awards banquet featured prizes for participating members for the optional plays such as closest to the pin, longest drive, lowest net, lowest gross, and many more.
The highlight of the banquet remains the appearance of P.J. Igitol. As the founder and inaugural president, he looked on as the new generation of champions received their trophies. His attendance served as a bridge between the club’s humble beginnings and its current status as a pillar of the Amigos Golf Club.
Igitol’s presence reminded the gathered members that the “Amigos” name is as much about the brotherhood and sisterhood of the game as it is about the final score.
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.
