SAIPAN – The inaugural 2025 Veterans Victory Classic at LaoLao Bay crowned its Low Gross champions early: Kim, Sae Hee led the women with an 84, and Jay Muna captured the men’s title with a 74, edging Franco Santos in a sudden-death playoff with a par on the deciding hole.
Under the Double Peoria system, Manny Mangarero topped the board at 80 gross / 70.40 net, followed by Nate Camacho (75 / 71.40), Harry Nakamura (79 / 71.80), Frankie Blas (83 / 72.20), Joe Camacho (83 / 72.20), Franco Santos (74 / 72.80), Li Zhi Yun (80 / 72.80), Freddy Salavaria (85 / 73.00), Joe Torres (96 / 73.20), and Kaegel Taitano (83 / 73.40).
In the skills contests, Nick Leon Guerrero took Aggressive Drive at 72.5 inches; Marco Peter launched the Longest Drive at 306 yards; and Freddie Salavaria won Accurate Drive at 8.5 inches. Closest-to-the-Pin winners were Phil Sablan on Hole 3 (13.8 feet), Marco Peter on Hole 7 (1 foot 9 inches), Salavaria on Hole 13 (18 feet 7.5 inches), and Nathan Camacho on Hole 17 (7.5 feet).
Project Buddy Check 670 thanked players, volunteers, and the wider community for making the first-ever tournament a success, noting that proceeds will fund veteran peer support, wellness activities, educational workshops, emergency assistance, and outreach programs across the CNMI.
Sponsors: Commander in Chief — Docomo Pacific (CNMI), Friends of Ralph, Joeten Motors, Latte Built Gym, MARPAC, Marianas Variety, Office of Governor David Apatang, Pacifica Insurance Underwriters, Tan Holdings / Tan Siu Lin Foundation, Top Shelf LLC (The Hook Up). General’s — Bridge Capital, Chongs Corporation, D&Q Distributors, Herman’s Bakery, IT&E, Gold Star Families, Leo Tudela, Rep. TJ Manglona, Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez. Colonel — Century Insurance, Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan, Perry & Judge Teresa Kim-Tenorio, Rep. Blas Jonathan Attao. Captain — All Star Sporting Goods / Borderline, Atkins Kroll Toyota, Athlete’s Foot of Saipan, Brabu Pharmacy, CSM (R) Jose Crisostomo, Island Apparel, J.E.T. Holding Co., Kalayaan, Mobil Oil Mariana Islands, PHI Pharmacy, Sugarking Holdings, Triple J Saipan. General sponsors & donors (selected) — Barney’s Pizza, Coca-Cola Beverage Co., PIC (E-LAND), Everest Kitchen, Fish and Tackle, Gold’s Gym, Kumoi Farms, Lions District 204 Zone-3 Clubs, Lucky Bill’s, McDonald’s, Naked Fish, Office of Delegate Kimberlyn King-Hinds, Rep. Vincent Aldan, Run Saipan, Saipan Shipping Co., Saipan Stevedore, Shirley’s Coffee Shop, Thelma Flores, Triple B Forwarders.
