Rex Palacios’ 64 prevails in RGA May Ace

Rex Palacios’ qualifying round net score of 64 proved unassailable in Refaluwasch Golf Association’s Ace of the Month Tournament held last Saturday at the Kingfisher Golf Links in Talafofo.

The former Public Auditor and current finance chief of the Micronesian Games Organizing Committee shot identical 37s in the front and back nine for a gross score of 73 during the qualifiers held last April 29 at the Coral Ocean Point Golf Resort to come into the tournament with the score to beat.

In the end, all 14 RGA members—including himself—failed to topple the score with National Assistance Program’s Bill Kaipat and former Northern Marianas College president Jack Sablan coming the closest.

The two fired net scores of 67 after Kaipat went 38 and 41 at the front and back and Sablan countered with his 36 and 38. Kaipat, however, took first place for the day after edging Sablan in the scorecard tiebreak, 32-32.5.

It was a similar scenario in the fight for third with Alex Aquiningoc and Adam Hardwick locked up in a tight one after both gentlemen came away with 69s.

Aquiningoc tamed the greens and fairways with a gross of 82 after going 40-42, while Hardwick duplicated the feat with a 39 and a 36 for a gross of 75. Aquiningoc, however, slipped past Hardwick for third place after his front nine net equaled just 33.5 to Hardwick’s 36.

Palacios’ second go-around for the May championship had him swinging for a descent net of 72. Louie Pelisamen (71 net), Jess Wabol (71), Mario Taitano (71), Jordan Kossam (74), Reno Celis (75), Joe “Kamikaze” Camacho (75), Carlos Salas (77), Gus Camacho (77), and junior golfer Ryan Kim (80) also took part in the event.

Rep. Arnold Palacios and Jeff Taylor also participated in the RGA May Ace of the Month as guests with Palacios shooting a net of 69 and Taylor firing a 68.

In the closest to the pin competition, Salas got the plum in the 6th hole, while Wabol eked out the victory in the 14th hole.

In an effort to lure more members, RGA has also ratcheted up its membership incentives for the 2006 season.

The golf club has approved additional incentives for its annual Low Net award and Sid K. Peter Memorial award. The latter is given to the duffer that takes part in the most number of qualifying and monthly tournaments for the year.

Unlike the past when winning the two plums will only get you a trophy and chump change, this year’s winners of the Low Net and Sid K. Peter awards will each take home $100, a trophy, and free RGA membership for a year.

The prizes for the RGA Club Champion remains the same with the winner bagging $200, trophy, free RGA membership, and entry fee to a tournament of his choice.

For more information about RGA and its monthly tournaments, contact president Jess Wabol at 288-1129. RGA official Tony Satur can be reached at 322-1562/1563, while Sonny Flores can be reached at 234-1748.