Abalos nips Tiger to win May Ace

Edgar Abalos won the Fil-Taga Golfers Association May Ace of the Month Tournament after nipping incoming president Jun “Tiger” Dela Cruz last Sunday at the Laolao Bay Golf Resort east course.

Abalos finished the nine rounds of golf with a gross score of six-over 78, which minus his 11-handicap gave him a sterling net score of 67 for the day.

Dela Cruz finished just a shot back of Abalos with his net 68. The 19-handicap Department of Public Works employee shot a gross score of 87.

Freddie Cataluna took third place after carding a net score of 72. He fired a gross score of 88. Jhun Calma and Sen. Pete Reyes closed out the Top 5 for the month following net scores of 73 and 74, respectively.

Calma came away with a gross score of 89, while Reyes needed 84 swings to finish the round.

Lito Mendoza, the player with the lowest handicap in Fil-Taga’s roster, shot a gross score of 82, which minus his superior seven-handicap gave him a 75, good for sixth place.

Completing the Top 10 were Rey Ferraz, Henry Bautista, Ted Malaran, Jess Yumul, Rene, and Batallones—all of whom conquered the east course of the Kagman facility with identical 76s.

Tom Aguon (77 net), Glenna Palacios (77), Mando Guban (78), Ronnie Santos (80), Nono Bostre (81), Lewie Adams (85), and new member Ed Cabotaje (106 gross) complete the 19-person field for the May tournament.

In related news, Fil-Taga has moved its induction of officers from its original May 7 date to June 18.

Dela Cruz said the golf association has not yet finalized the venue for the event, but he has scheduled a meeting to discuss the issue on tomorrow, May 26, 7pm at Carinosa Restaurant along Middle Road in Garapan.

Dela Cruz will take the helm from last year’s president Ted “Golden Bear” Malaran. The rest of the incoming Fil-Taga leadership are vice president Jhun Calma, secretary Manny Po, treasurer Arnold Guban, and board of directors Malaran, Miguel Cruz Jr., Gil Faler, Father Manny Corcuera, Rey Ferraz, Greg De Torres, Rene Batallones, Nestor Siruelo, and George Sablan.

Established in 1993, Fil-Taga’s tournaments operate under a computer-controlled handicap system that creates parity among players in the A and B Flights.

A Fil-Taga Ace of the Month champion is crowned monthly. Regular tournaments are scheduled once a month, normally every third Sunday. Green fees are in the $35 to $40 price range for most tournaments. (Mark Rabago)