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Changfeng Liu poses to photographers while
pointing to his name after winning the
overall crown in the inaugural Marianas
International Cup 2017 held at Kingfisher
Golf Links on Saturday and the east course
of Laolao Bay Golf & Resort
Changfeng
Liu, right, is joined by his mother, Lady
Guo, for a photo after receiving his trophy
during the awards ceremony for the Marianas
International Cup 2017.
China’s Changfeng Liu brought with him a
lucky charm to top the inaugural Marianas
International Cup 2017.
Liu
was named the overall champion of the
weekend competition held at the Kingfisher
Golf Links and Laolao Bay Golf & Resort and
was surprised with his victory as he and his
mom, Lady Guo, came to Saipan just for a
vacation and to celebrate her 72nd birthday
yesterday.
“It’s my mother’s birthday (today). I
planned this trip as a birthday gift. I
guess, I just got lucky or my mom turned out
to be my lucky charm,” said Liu, still with
a surprised smile on his face while his
mother was grinning from ear to ear after
receiving his prizes.
The
Shanghai native had a gross score of 89 at
the Kingfisher Golf Links last Saturday and
92 on the east course of the Laolao Bay Golf
& Resort in yesterday’s final round to rule
the double peoria tournament. Liu, the
Commodities Division regional manager and
deputy regional manager of research and
investing firm Trammo (Shanghai) Trading Co.
Ltd., finished with net scores of 77 and 68
for a 145 total, beating more than 100 other
golfers from China, Japan, Korea, and host
the CNMI.
Seung
Woo Kang came in second, while Jae Yeol
Joong was third in the CNMI bracket. The Top
3 finishers for China, Japan, and Korea were
also recognized at the banquet with the
champion earning a round-trip ticket to
Saipan, $300, and a four-night stay at IPI’s
Grand Ocean Suite aside from the trophy.
Rong
San Cui, Jin Nu Cai, and Kinping Cheng were
the Top 3 winners from China, while Akira
Ueda, Hiroyuki Kataoka, and Fumiyuki
Takasuka duplicated the feat in the Japan
bracket. Mun Yong Jung, Sukin Yang, and
Kyung Rai Koh were the Korean podium
finishers.
Eventual overall champion Changfeng Liu (No.
6, 2”), Sakuma Seiichi (No. 8, 3’ 6”),
Kiyoko Okayasu (No. 12, 4’ 25”), and Seo
Yeom Jeon (No. 15, 3’ 1”) were the closest
to the pin winners at Kingfisher. Seiichi
and Yunai Yamashita had the longest drive
for the men’s and women’s.
Jong
Bong Wong (No. 4), Myung Keun Jung (No. 6),
Seung Woo Kang, and Shan Cui Rong made
closest to the pin shots at Laolao, while
Kang was also the longest drive winner in
the men’s side and Yuko Togawa earned the
ladies title.
Meanwhile, former CNMI Legislature member
and current Department of Lands and Natural
Resources Secretary Anthony Benavente bested
15 other golfers to rule the sponsor’s
tournament held at Laolao’s west course.
Yong Joo Kim came in at second, while
Prescil Azarcon finished third.
Benavente was also the closest to the pin
winner at No. 13 at 39’ and 9”, while
Azarcon matched it at No. 7 at 16’, aside
from having the longest drive of 225 yards
at No. 18. Absalon Waki Jr. (No. 3, 39”) and
Takashi Ishikawa (No. 17, 14’ 5”) were the
other closest to the pin winners.
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