The top three players of the Super Senior flight — Manny Mangarero, Richard Sablan and Joe Sablan Jr. — pose for a photo with Marianas Tourism Education Council Chair Vicky Benavente during the awards ceremony of the 2023 Marianas Tourism Golf Classic on Saturday at the LaoLao Bay Golf & Resort west course.
Senior flight top winner Freddie Cataluna and Frank Sablan, who finished third, pose for a photo with Marianas Tourism Education Council Chair Vicky Benavente during the awards ceremony of the 2023 Marianas Tourism Golf Classic on Saturday at the LaoLao Bay Golf & Resort west course.
VETERAN players earned their time in the spotlight at the 2023 Marianas Tourism Golf Classic with Manny Mangarero and Freddie Cataluna topping the Super Senior and Senior flights, respectively, on Saturday at the Laolao Bay Golf & Resort west course.
In the Super Senior flight, Manny Mangarero closed the front nine with a gross score of 41 and then improved his game on the back nine with a gross score of 39 for a gross total of 80 to secure first place.
The 66-year-old player said his best hole was #5 (par 5) where he shot a seven-foot putt for a birdie. As for his worst hole, he said it was #18 where he made a bogey.
“Overall, it could have been better,” Mangarero said. “But I thank God for being able to wake up every morning and when game time comes, I thank him that I’m able to play and go back home — win or lose. I’m happy because I’m still here,” he added.
In the battle for second place, Richard Sablan bested Joe Sablan Jr. in the scorecard playoff.
Richard shot a gross of 40 on the front nine and 44 on the back nine while Joe shot a gross of 43 on the front and 41 on the back. Both players notched a gross total of 84.
Impressive
In the Senior flight, Freddie Cataluna reigned supreme. He shot an impressive gross of 37 on the front nine and 38 on the back for a gross total of 75.
In second place was Joe “Kamikaze” Camacho who shot 42 on the front nine and 35 on the back for a gross total of 77.
Frank Sablan settled for third place, shooting 40 on both halves of the course for a gross total of 80.
The winners of the optional plays were also recognized.
In the Closest to the Pin challenge, Tony Satur led the list on hole #3 at 9ft, and hole #13 at 6ft and 58in.
Chris Grove ruled hole #7 at 18in while Hyun Son was numero uno on hole #17 at 10ft.
Chris Nelson won the Accurate Drive Award on hole #4 at 43 inches while Bryan Camacho won the Most Aggressive Drive Award on hole #12 at 21ft.
