Cabrera takes XGA Ace of Aces

J.J. Cabrera clinched the X-clusive Golfers Association’s 2011 Ace of Aces championship after ruling the group’s season-ending event last Saturday at Coral Ocean Point.

Cabrera scratched a 42 on the front nine and stumbled to a 48 after the turn to finish with an even raw score of 90, but his 20 handicap gave him the nod with a 70 net, two strokes ahead of runner-up Joey Dela Cruz.

Dela Cruz played better than Cabrera on the front nine with the former shooting a 40 and then managed a 42 on the back nine to finish with a gross card of 82. But with his 10 handicap, Dela Cruz only had a net 72 to settle for second place.

Meanwhile, Gerald Guerrero started out with a 43 in the first nine holes and finished with a 45 after the turn. He pulled to the clubhouse with an 88 gross card that worked into a 74 net count for third place.

Cabrera won a $300 cash prize and was gifted free club membership for the 2012 season for winning the Ace of Aces event. Dela Cruz received $200 in cash and Guerrero got $100.

Last Saturday’s tournament also doubled as XGA’s 2012 season opener, which left Cabrera as the winner of the January Ace. Cabrera now qualifies for the Ace of the Aces competition.

Cabrera took the January Ace honors ahead of newcomer Roy Ada and Dela Cruz. Ada started slow with a 47 on the front, but recovered on the back with a 38 for a gross score of 85 that adjusted into a 71 net card. Cabrera also pocketed an extra $170 for topping the January event, while Ada received $100 and Dela Cruz got an extra $70.

There were also four closest to the pin side bets held as part of the Ace of Aces event. Hyun An won on hole No. 3, while Dung Tenorio and John Cepeda prevailed on hole Nos. 7 and 12, respectively. The prize for hole No. 14 went back to the club as nobody qualified for the side bet.

Notably, out of 20 participants in the weekend event, J.J. Atalig finished the day with the lowest gross of 80. He carded a 40 on both the front and back nines and ended up with a 76 net score, which was good for fifth place.

Meanwhile, XGA acknowledged its members who did well in 2011. The list includes Atalig, who won the 2nd Annual Docomo Golf Classic’s Championship flight and topped the A Flight of the HANMI Cup. Atalig also teamed up with Dela Cruz and won the Saipan Chamber of Commerce tournament last month. John Reyes took first place in the 16th Annual Tournament of Champions’ C Flight, while a foursome of XGA players finished second place in the Club At The Hyatt Golf Classic.

XGA is made up of about 30 members and is currently accepting new members until March 1. In contrast to its name, XGA said anyone can join the club, male or female.

Newcomers are required to pay the $50 annual fee in addition to the $25 club uniform fee. Membership renewal is only $40.

During competitions, players are also required to pay the greens fee along with the $30 tournament fees that go toward the awards banquet, prize money, and incentives.