Olopai keeps RGA February Ace

Refaluwasch Golf Association members struggled in last weekend’s tournament at the Marianas Country Club, allowing Tars Olopai to keep the RGA February Ace.

Olopai shot a net 66 in the RGA February qualifying tournament early last month at Kingfisher Golf Links and on Feb. 28 at MCC, 16 tried to break the score to beat and faltered.

Asterio Tawanpiy, who topped last weekend’s tournament, was Olopai’s closest pursuer, but the former was still seven strokes behind the latter.

The nine-handicapper Tawanpiy had a 41 on both nines for a gross 82 and net 73. Olopai, who is also a nine-handicapper, tamed Kingfisher with his 36 and 39 on the front and back nines, respectively, for a gross 79.

Olopai still played at MCC, but scored only a net 74, tying four others for second to sixth places. In the scorecard tiebreak on the back nines, Ben Duenas secured second place with his net 33.5, followed by Jess Wabol (35), Olopai (35.5), Dwayne Stephens (36), and Ben Bae (40).

Bae Young Man finished seventh with his net 76, followed by Manny Mangarero (78), Cui Xiang Lai (78), Ton Tebuteb (79), Tony Satur (80), Jordon Kossam (81), Louie Tilipao (81), Joe Wabol (84), Jack Sablan (84), and Gus Camacho (86).

Mangarero and Sablan won closest to the pin contests on hole Nos. 6 and 12, respectively.

Meanwhile, RGA tournament director Jess Wabol said the Inaugural San Jose Church Fundraising Golf Tournament on March 14 at the Kingfisher Golf Links will also serve as a March qualifying tournament for the club.

Wabol said RGA members joining the fundraising tournament will pay $20, besides the entrance fee of $100.

Next weekend’s tournament aims to raise funds for the much needed repairs of the San Jose Church. Tee time is set at 7:30am, while check in time is at 6:30am.

The tournament offers top prizes in two divisions—low gross and low net double peoria.

Low gross will have both men’s and women’s categories. First place gets $300, second $200, and third $100.

The low net double peoria is co-ed and will award $300 for first place, $250 for second, and $150 for third.

Organizers will also hold closest to the pin competitions in holes No. 8, 12, and 15. Five prizes will also be up for grabs in skills challenge in hole No. 6.

For more information about the San Jose tournament, call Mangarero at 235-2609 or 878-4499, Rev. Fr. Jesse Reyes at 234-6991 or 483-PALE, Jess Wabol at 233-3673, or Jerry Ayuyu at 286-1400.