Flores sets score to beat for RGA October Ace

Sonny Flores ruled the Refaluwach Golf Association October Ace qualifying tournament held Sunday at the Coral Ocean Point Golf Resort.

Flores shot a net 65 in the qualifier, setting the score to beat in RGA’s next tournament. If his score is unbeaten, Flores gets to keep the RGA October Ace title.

The 15-handicapper Flores had a good start at the Agingan Point course firing a 3-over par 39 on the front. But he failed to sustain his momentum on the back, scoring a five-over par 41 for a gross 80.

Flores won by a stroke against Louie Tilipao, a 12-handicapper, who nailed a 39 on both nines for a gross 78.

There was a three-way tie for third with Joe Wabol prevailing in the tiebreak with his net 33.5 on the front nine.

The 21-handicapper Wabol tallied a 44 and 47 on the front and back nines, respectively, for a net 70 and gross 91.

Also making a net 71 was Tars Olopai, an 11-handicapper. But Olopai dropped to fourth, as he recorded a net 37.5 on the front. Olopai shot a gross 81 following his 43 and 38 on the front and back nines, respectively.

Dwain Stephens was the third player to score a net 70, but settled for fifth place after his net 38 on the front nine. The 20-handicapper Stephens, drilled a 48 on the front and played better on the back wit a 42 for a gross 90.

The lowest gross score of the day belonged to Jess Wabol and Nick Sablan, who both carded five-over par 77.

The two-handicapper Jess Wabol had a 39 on the front and improved his game a bit on the back with a 38 for a net 75. Sablan, a six-handicapper, fired a 38 and 39 on the front and back nines, for a net 71.

Fourteen RGA members joined last weekend’s qualifier.

The list included Manny Mangarero (71), Joe Demapan (71), Fasulu Tigilao (71), Ed Tenorio (72), Jordan Kossam (76), Tom Tebuteb (77), and Tony Rogolifoi (77).

Mangarero won the closest to the pin contest on hole No. 3, while Tenorio prevailed on No. 14.

Meanwhile, tournament director Jess Wabol is reminding monthly Ace winners to meet the required number of tournaments before they are allowed to compete in the yearend Club Championship in December.

Monthly Ace winners should join at least six qualifying tournaments or RGA-sanctioned events to gain tickets to the season-ending RGA Cup.

Wabol is also reminding players of two tournaments lined up in RGA’s calendar.

He said they will be holding the RGA Memorial Classic on Nov. 8 with the venue to be announced later.

Members who will participate in the November tournament will gain free entrance fee in the club championships in December.

Before the Club Championship, RGA will be holding a Family Fun Day on Dec. 13.

For more information on RGA tournaments, contact Jess Wabol at 233-3673 or RGA president Adam Hardwicke at 483-2326.