Tigilau sets season mark in RGA April Ace

Ray Tigilau recorded a season-best net score of 61 at Coral Ocean Point Sunday to clinch the Refaluwasch Golf Association April Ace title.

The 22-handicapper Tigilau tamed the Agingan Point course, shooting a 43 and 40 on the front and back nines, respectively, for a gross 83.

Incidentally Tigilau set the score to beat for the April Ace when he notched a net 71 in a qualifying tournament last April 12 at Kingfisher Golf Links.

When he came back for the second monthly tournament, Tigilau was sharper, beating 23 other members of the RGA.

Junior golfer Ben Bae finished second in last weekend’s tournament with his net 63. The 24-handicapper Ben tallied a net 41 on the front and 46 on the back for a gross 87.

Rounding out to the Top 5 were S. Kim Jin, J.J. Atalig, and John Rebuenog.

The 20-handicapper Jin was off to a tough start with a 44 on the front, but improved his game a bit on the back with a 41 for a gross 80 and net 65. Atalig, a 16-handicapper, was consistent at COP with his 42 and 41 on the front and back nines, respectively, for a gross 83 and net 67.

Rebuenog also had a net 67, but lost to Atalig in the scorecard tiebreak on the front nine. Atalig tallied a net 34 after the first nine holes, while Rebuenog was a stroke behind with a net 35. The 24-handicapper Rebuenog shot a 47 on the front and 44 on the back for a gross 91.

Other RGA members who joined last Sunday’s tournament were Ulysses Kapileo (net 84), Jess Wabol (73), Joe Wabol (73), Asterio Tawanpiy (77), Joe Demapan (82), Ben Duenas (73), Thompson Palik (DQ), Manny Mangarero (84), Sonny Flores (70), Jordon Kosam (80), Gerald Guerrero (72), Tom Tebuteb (71), Joji Taguchi (81), Tim Taguchi (78), Tars Olopai (73), Dwayne Stephens (84), Jerry Ayuyu (DQ), Jesse Seman (74), and Carl Hocog (78).

Hocog and Kapileo won the closest to the pin contests in holes No. 7 and 14, respectively.

With Tigilau winning the April Ace title, he now has a chance to compete in the RGA Club Championship in December, joining Cui Xian Lai (January Ace), Olopai (February), and Tawanpiy (March).

The club championship will feature the 12 monthly winners battling for the coveted Plas M. Tagabuel trophy.

Besides claiming a monthly title, an RGA member can only qualify for the club championship if he has competed in at least six RGA sanctioned tournaments.