Nick Sablan tops RGA Aug. qualifier

Former CNMI national golfer Nick Sablan fired the score to beat in Refaluwasch Golf Association’s August Ace of the Month Qualifier held over the weekend at the Laolao Bay Golf Resort east course.

To save time and money, RGA piggybacked on the 13th Tournament of Champions, using the east course of the region’s premiere golf competition for their August qualifier.

Sablan, who saw action in the Seniors Flight of the TOC, registered a post-handicap score of 68 to beat 18 other RGA members.

The only player who had a lower score than the 2003 South Pacific Games veteran was Luis Byun, who shot a net 66. Luckily for Sablan though, the youth golfer already won the January Ace and under RGA rules, a player can only win one tournament—qualifier or monthly—once in the course of a year.

While 14-handicapper Byun topped the weekend tournament with a 42-38 for a gross of 80, Sablan had a far better gross score with his 75 built around the seven-handicapper’s 37 in the front and 38 in the back.

Returning member Brett Nelson finished third best for the weekend with his 69 net (gross 93, 49-44), while Don Dunlop, Asterio Tawanpiy and Bill Kaipat complete the Top 5 with the former firing a 70 and Tawanpiy and Kaipat carding identical scores of 71.

Sonny Flores (net 72), RGA president Adam Hardwicke (72), Ben Duenas (72), Tony Rogolifoi (72), Louie Tilipao (73), Dick Pierce (73), Manny Mangarero (73), Jess Wabol (74), Ulyses Kapileo (74), youth golfer Jay Choi (78), Tars Olopai (77), Andy Nepaial (82), and former Department of Community and Cultural Affairs secretary Tom Tebuteb (84) also took part in the qualifier by playing in the 13th TOC.

RGA also took the opportunity to congratulate members Byun (B Flight winner), Hardwicke (Championship Flight third place), Sablan (Seniors Flight second place), and Wabol (Championship Flight fifth place) for giving a good account of themselves in the 2008 edition of the TOC.

In related news, Wabol, who serves as RGA’s tournament director, is reminding Ace of the Month winners that they need to have played in a minimum of six tournaments (including qualifiers) in order to qualify for the yearend RGA Club Championship.

For more information about other competitions held by the club, contact Hardwicke at 483-2926 or Wabol at 233-3673.