Sen. Reyes is Fil-Taga 2004 Golfer of the Year

Sen. Pete Reyes took a weekend off his busy schedule to play in the Fil-Taga Golfers Association season-ending tournament last Saturday and Sunday at the Marianas Country Club and Kingfisher Golf Links.

Judging by the results of the two-day competition, it was a rest well worth it, as the lawmaker emerged victorious and was crowed the association’s 2004 Golfer of the Year.

The September Ace winner scorched the 20-man field with a two-round total of six-under 138 to succeed Nestor Siruelo as club champion.

After trailing by two shots after the first round with a one-under 71 performance Saturday, the good senator showed a mark improvement on his golf swing and carded a five-under 67 on Sunday to capture the Ace of Aces tourney.

Three shots off the pace and finishing in second place was March Ace winner William Retardo, who fired a two-round total of three-under 141 after going 70 and 71 in the first and second rounds, respectively.

Lito Mendoza actually finished tied with Retardo in second place but had to settle for third after losing via a scorecard tiebreak. The November Ace winners’ 141 came after he struggled with a 73 at Marianas Country Club but made up for it with an amazing 68 at the Kingfisher Golf Links.

April winner Glenna Palacios finished in fourth place after she wound up with an even par 144. Palacios got off to a red-hot start, shooting a first-round best of 69 but struggled in the second round with a 75.

Ted Malaran round out the Top 5 after registering a one-over 145. The Aqua Resort Club purchasing manager began the tourney with a 71 but crashed in the second with a 74. Malaran won the monthly title in March.

Jhun Calma (October), Mando Guban (December), and Jhun Calma (October) finished tied in the 6th to 8th places with identical two-over 146 scores. Ninth place was Father Manny Corcuera with his 149, while defending champ Siruelo (May) managed a 10th best finish with his 153.

The rest of the participants in the season ending tournament, with their scores in parenthesis, were as follows: May’s Albert Pajarillaga (154); February’s Jess Yumul (155); June’s Joe Miranda (156); August’s Edgardo “Puy” Macacario (157); November’s Ernie Lopez (157); July’s Rey Ferraz (157); August’s Domeng Cariaso (160); and April’s Harry Kang (168).

January’s Ralph Yumul scored a 79 on Saturday but failed to show up on Sunday.

Established in 1993, Fil-Taga’s tournaments operate under a computer-controlled handicap system that creates parity among players in the A and B Flights.

A Fil-Taga Ace of the Month champion is crowned monthly. Regular tournaments are scheduled once a month, normally every third Sunday. Green fees are in the $35 to $40 price range for most tournaments.

For more information on Fil-Taga’s monthly tournaments and its season-ending Golfer of the Year Tournament, contact president Ted Malaran at 322-1234 or 287-1227.