Top golfers to tee off in Memorial Classic

The who’s who of the island’s golf scene will tee off in tomorrow’s Inaugural Refaluwasch Golf Association Memorial Classic at the Marianas Country Club.

Tournament director Jess Wabol said top par-busters like himself, RGA president Adam Hardwicke, Joung Hoon Park, Bae Yong Man, Edward Manibusan, Rick Kautz, father-and-son duo of Joji and Tim Taguchi, and Nick Sablan will see action in the one-day competition in honor of the club’s departed members.

He said also committed to play tomorrow are Fil-Taga Golfers Association members led by Rey Ferraz and some five players from Commonwealth Women’s Golf Association.

The Memorial Classic, which this year takes the place of RGA’s traditional Turkey Shoot, is also expected to be graced by the relatives of deceased RGA members Plas Tagabuel, Sid K. Peter, and Tony Taitano.

Wabol also reminded participants that the competition will have a show time of 6:30am with tee time set an hour later at 7:30am.

He added that cash prizes and a bevy of in-kind gifts await winners of the Memorial Classic, which will have two categories—double peoria and low gross.

For instance, the low gross category will have two divisions—men’s and women’s—with first place taking home $300, second $200, and third $100.

Low net double peoria, meanwhile, will have a bigger bounty as first place nets $500, second $300, and third $200.

There will also be a hole-in-one prize in hole No. 16 with RGA putting up a $1,000 bounty. Closest to the pin competitions in holes No. 6, 8, and 12 will also be up for grabs.

Mulligans will also be up for sale at $5 each, but participants can only avail themselves a maximum of two retake shots for the tourney.

Participants can also win door prizes during the awards banquet immediately following the tournament at the Marianas Country Club grounds.

Wabol said like the Turkey Shoot of previous years, a portion of the proceeds from the Memorial Classic will be given to a school. The lucky school this year is Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School.

Entry fee for the tournament is $100 and those interested can make their checks out to Refaluwasch Golf Association.

For more information about RGA’s 2008 Memorial Classic, contact Wabol at 233-3673, Ed Tenorio at 285-3305, Charlotte Camacho at 664-3400, Adam Hardwicke at 483-2326, George Cruz at 483-4655, and Martin Dalsaso at 286-6323.

The Memorial Classic is sponsored by a number of companies and individuals, namely Fiesta Resort & Spa, Pacific Islands Club, Aqua Resort Club, LaoLao Bay Golf Resort, Saipan Stevedore Co., All-Stars Sporting Goods, Hyatt Regency Saipan, I-Connect, Palms Resort Saipan, Kingfisher Golf Links, Nippon General Trading Co., YCO Corp., Coral Ocean Point, Coco Restaurant, Saipan Grand Hotel, Dial Rent to Own, Coca-Cola, MARPAC, Pacific Trading Co., Saipan Shipping Co., YUNA Golf Range, DFS Galleria, First Hawaiian Bank, Café at the Park Gold’s Gym, Kautz Glass, Rep. Heinz Hofschneider, Rep. Edward T. Salas, Rep. Raymond Palacios, Reo. Ralph DLG Torres, Rep. Ray Tebuteb, Rep. Justo S. Quitugua, Rep, Joseph N. Camacho, Sen. Luis P. Crisostomo, Tropex Garden, Ben Jones and family, Kae Poong Co., Delta Management Corp. Radiocom, PL’s Water Company, Marianas Health Services, Juan L. Babauta and family, Advance Terminators, Western Union, New Fresh Market, Rep. Rosemond B. Santos, Speaker Arnold Palacios, Rep. Frank Dela Cruz, Marianas Resort & Spa, Asiana Airlines, and Quick Printing.