TONY Benavente joined the Saipan Golf Association’s elite players by winning the May Ace of the Month title on Sunday, May 16, at Laolao Bay Golf Resort.
Benavente was well prepared for the competition, but he struggled a bit on the front nine before he found his rhythm to notch a gross score of 43.
On the back nine, Benavente greatly improved his swing and accuracy, scoring 37 for a gross total of 80. His handicap was nine only, but it was still enough to put him on top as he ended the day with a net score of 71.
Rick Kautz also vied for the top spot, scoring a gross of 41 on the front nine and 42 on the back nine for a total of 83. Sporting a handicap of 12, Kautz ended with a net score of 71.
However, Kautz is already the April Ace of the Month so Benavente was given the May title.
In third place was Nick Sablan who closed the front nine with a gross of 43 and improved on the back with a score of 38 for a total gross score of 81. With a handicap of nine, his net score of 72 was just a point behind the top two finishers.
Tony Benavente joins SGA’s 2021 Ace of the Month winners Das Krishnan (January), Joe I. Sablan (February), Frances M. Sablan (March), and Rick Kautz (April).
In the side events, four players received the Closest to the Pin awards. Benavente led the list for hole #3; Alex Tudela was supreme at holes #7 and #17; while Mario Fajardo ruled hole #13.
For the Longest Drive event, Juan “Pan” Guerrero was tops at hole #2 while Tony Benavente triumphed at hole #10.
The next SGA Ace of the Month Tournament will be held at the Coral Ocean Golf Resort on Sunday, June 27, 2021. Tee time will be at 10 a.m. and show time is 9:30 a.m.
Players pose for a photo during the Saipan Golf Association May Ace of the Month tournament held on May 16, 2021 at the Laolao Bay Golf & Resort.
