Retardo leads Governor’s Cup winners

William Retardo, left, is in a celebratory mood with third placer Daryl Poe after successfully defending his Championship Flight title in the 2nd Annual Governor’s Tourism Cup Golf Tournament held last Saturday at the Laolao Bay Golf & Resort. (Jon Perez)

William Retardo stood up to receive the second place winnings of good friend Freddie Cataluna in the Championship Flight of last Saturday’s 2nd Annual Governor’s Tourism Cup Golf Tournament held at the Laolao Bay Golf & Resort.

Event host Glenn Policare then asked Retardo to stay for the needed photo-op, but the former was a bit surprised that the latter approached him again to accept the $300 check—the prize for the champion in each flight. It turned out that Policare was just joking as he asked the eventual champion if he’s sure that he’s Retardo and not Cataluna, bringing the crowd to laughter. Retardo went on to win his second straight title in the fundraiser after ruling the same competition last year. Guam’s Daryl Poe joined Retardo and Cataluna in the Top 3 of the Championship Flight of the tournament held on the Greg Norman-designed 6,330-yard, par-72 east course of the Kagman facility.

“I just got lucky again since the tournament format is double peoria. The same thing happened last year when I first got lucky in this tournament,” said Retardo, who finished with a gross score of 76 and a handicap of 4.80 earned him a 71.20 net.

Cataluna was 1.80 behind Retardo with a 73 after a gross score of 79 and 6.0 handicap for the $200 runner-up purse. Poe went home with the $100 prize after shooting a 72 and his -1.20 handicap gave him a 73.2 net.

“I got an advantage with this type of format because once somebody hits that handicap hole, you’re going to get a lower score. Luckily, on that day, I hit the handicap hole,” added the Mariana Resort executive chef.

The peoria system is a one-day handicapping method usually used in charity tournaments or company outings.

Though only six signed up in the Championship Flight, it was still a tough field with perennial contender Harry Nakamura, youngster and two-time BMW Guam Junior Open champion Dong Young Lee, and CNMI Federation of Golf Associations president David Largent also on the list.

Meanwhile, the Top 3 winners in other divisions were Joe “Kamikaze” Camacho (67.4), Alex Tudela 69.6), and Tars Olopai (70.8) in the Seniors; Chang Hee Yoo (70.4), Gil An Yoon (70.6), and Shiori Onoue (72.2) in the Ladies; Luis Tilipao (71.2), Sung Soo Lim (71.2), and Chang Ho Kim (73) in the A Flight; Tony Guerrero (67.40), Patrick C. Guerrero (69.2), and Yasuhiro Sato (72.8) in the B Flight; and Dave Apatang (71.8), Tommy Kim (72.6), and Paul Manglona (73) in the C Flight.

One hundred forty-four golfers joined the tournament, which will use its proceeds for the programs of the Marianas Tourism Educational Council and MY WAVE Club. B Flight runner-up Patrick C. Guerrero also donated to MTEC his $200 prize check.

MTEC chair Vicky Benavente said the entire board is thankful to all the participants, sponsors, and volunteers of the tournament.

“The board is thankful for their involvement in our tourism business. Thank you also to those who stepped up to the plate for their contributions. We also thank all the 144 players and those on the waiting list that came out and had a good time even if they did not win but came home with raffle prizes,” Benavente said.

“It is always a good feeling to have the community’s support and the Marianas Visitors Authority as one of our partners. The money we collected would go a long way in funding our programs to teach our kids and get them involved in the tourism industry through the MY WAVE Club,” she added.

In other results, Manny Mangarero had the longest drive at No. 18 with his 270 yards, while Manglona, Thomson Palik, and Marco Peter won in the closest to the pin contests.