Wabol knocks down two birds with one stone

Veteran par-buster and Refalawasch Golf Association president Jess Wabol had another impressive weekend on the golf links, bagging two top honors last Saturday at the LaoLao Bay Golf Resort.

With the RGA July Qualifier Tournament coinciding with the 3rd Annual Family Fun Day Golf Tournament, Wabol seized the golden opportunity to knock down two birds with one stone and topped both events with a gross score of three-over par 75.

As reported earlier, Wabol and Jeff Taylor were tied on top of the scoreboard in the Family Fun Day tourney, with the two agreeing that Wabol will take first place no matter the outcome of their second go-around on the 18th hole.

In the RGA competition, Wabol saw his score drop to a net of 72, also identical to that of fellow top gun Sasaki Oliver, but again, luck played right into Wabol’s hands as he posted the score to beat after posting a better score in the front nine, where he edged Oliver 37-38.

Wabol, whose play on the links has been limited in the previous months due to his commitment to the Saipan Little League Baseball Association as well as a back operation, said he tried not to overpower his shots from the tee and added that his putting on the green has improved, and both worked well for him during the tournament.

“It was difficult because it was hot and the course was dry…its fun but we were tired,” Wabol said. “On my drives, instead of trying to overpower it, I just played control. My putting has also improved.”

For his part, Oliver had a gross of five-over par 77 but his five handicap lowered his score to 72.

Eddie Peter posted the third-best score with a net of 74 after his five handicap enabled his gross score of 79 to sink, while Nick Sablan placed fourth with a net score of 75, getting 10 shots dropped off his gross score of 85 due to his handicap.

Jojo Taguchi and Joe “Kamikaze” Camacho followed with identical net scores of 77. Kamikaze had a gross of 78 while Taguchi posted an 80.

Sonny Flores was next in line with a net of 80 and a gross of 91 while Louie Tilipao scored a gross of 97 and finished with a net score of 81.

RGA will host its July Ace of the Month Tournament on July 9 at the Kingfisher Golf Links. Check in time is set for 11am while tee off will be at 12pm.

For more inquiries, please contact Jess Wabol at 288-1129, Tony Satur at 322-1562 and Sonny Flores at 234-1748.