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Wabol is RGA Cup champion
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Posted on Dec 10 2008
Jess Wabol ended a seven-year drought in the RGA Club Championship after winning the 2008 edition of the annual event Sunday at the Kingfisher Golf Links.
Wabol carded a net 66 to beat nine other monthly Ace winners for the coveted Plas M. Tagabuel trophy. Nine other Refaluwasch Golf Association members joined the club championship, but only the monthly winners were eligible to claim the RGA Cup award, which was named after the departed Tagabuel, a former member of the club.
Wabol last hoisted the RGA Cup trophy in 2002 when he defeated 2001 champion John Guerrero and two-time winner Sasaki Oliver (2003 and 2005). Wabol now has four RGA Cup displayed in his rich collection of trophies.
The two-handicapper Wabol tamed the Talofofo course with a 4-under par 68, which was the lowest gross of the day. He was two strokes ahead of Joe Demapan and Asterio Tawanpiy, who shot identical net scores of 68.
Demapan defeated Tawanpiy in the tiebreak for second with the former shooting better on the front nine.
The 14-handicapper Demapan fired a gross 82, while the 11-handicapper Tawanpiy had a gross 79.
The Top 3 placers received their prizes during the award ceremony at the Kili Café of Hyatt Regency Saipan Sunday night.
Wabol claimed his second trophy of the night when he was awarded the Sid K. Peter plum, which is given to a member who played the most rounds of the year.
Wabol played in 22 RGA qualifying tournaments never missing a single event in the club’s calendar this year.
Tawanpiy, another regular at RGA sanctioned events, took the Tony Taitano trophy, which is awarded to the monthly Ace winner with the lowest average net of year.
Trophies were also given to the 12 monthly winners during the award ceremony hosted by Tony Rogolofoi and Jordan Kossam.
This year’s monthly winners were Louis Byun (January), Tawanpiy (February), Wabol (March), John Mettao (April), Demapan (May), Kossam (June), Manny Mangarero (July), Nick Sablan (August), Tars Olopai (September), Sonny Flores (October), Bae Yung Man (November), and Dwayne Stephens (December).
