Retardo revels in June tourney

William Retardo ruled the Fil-Taga Golfers Association’s June tournament that was held in conjunction with the 3rd Annual Saipan Pacific Lions Club Golf Tournament last June 8 at the LaoLao Bay Golf & Resort.

The 56-year-old chef de cuisine at Pacific Islands Club Saipan fired a net score of 68. Retardo clubbed a gross score of 79 following a 38 in the front nine and a 41 in the back nine.

Rene Batallones came in second at two shots back at net 70 (82, 44-38), while Dan Ganacias was third his net 72 (84, 44-37).

“The course was perfect and the green felt faster than usual. As for the weather, it was nice. It wasn’t too hot, and the wind wasn’t too strong either,” said Retardo.

He said each of his drives at the beginning of each hole felt great and that he was able to have a great iron game during the tournament.

“My best hole was No. 7. I was the nearest to the pin for that hole and I also used the wind to my advantage, which led me to a birdie. As for my worst hole, it would be hole No. 6. I had a really good drive, but my next swing was short and it sent my ball swimming. This gave me the only double bogey of the tournament.”

He then dedicated his win to his family for supporting his golf hobby.

“It feels great, considering that I haven’t played in the last two years. Special thanks to my kumpaire, playing partner, and very good friend Freddie Cataluna for encouraging me to go back to playing golf.”

With the win, Retardo joins Tom Palikkun (January), Henry Bautista (February and March), and Antonio Bornilla (April and May) who have so far won the Fil-Taga Golfers Association monthly tournaments and qualified for the season-ending Ace of Aces tournament.

A total of 19 Fil-Taga members took part in the June tourney and they are the following with their net scores in parenthesis—Freddie Cataluna (74), Ruben Avendano (74), Edgar Abalos (74), Das Krishnan (75), Ronnie Santos (75), Albert Pajarillaga (76), Wil Maui (77), Adony Matutino (78), Jess Yumul (79), Antonio Tabornil (79), Romy Cayetano (80), Tom Palikkun (80), Tony Cabrera (83), Nino Rivera (91), Felix Ano (91), and Burt Suda (95).