Alvarez wins RGA October Ace

Qualifying round topnotcher Manny Alvarez held off all challengers to win the Refaluwasch Golf Association October Ace of the Month Tournament held last Saturday, Oct. 15, at the Kingfisher Golf Links.

After firing a net score of 68 in the club’s October qualifying round held last Oct. 1 at the Laolao Bay Golf Resort east course, Alvarez just sat back and watched as two par-busters tried in vain to eclipse his score.

Sonny Flores and Mario Taitano managed to tie Alvarez’ net score of 68, but as for RGA rules, the duo had to beat the qualifying score to lift the monthly championship trophy.

Flores actually had the best chance of beating Alvarez’s total, but a disastrous triple bogey on hole No. 17 and a bogey on No. 18—four strokes in the final two holes—blew the Transportation Security Administration employee’s chances at winning the monthly plum.

The former CNMI Men’s National Basketball Team coach came away with a 37 in the front and 43 in the back to finish with a gross score of 80, which minus his 12 handicap, left him with the 68.

Taitano, for his part, shot 43 in the first nine holes and 41 in the last nine to total 84 for the day. Taitano sports a 16 handicap.

In the closes to the pin contest, Taitano got a consolation of sorts by reigning supreme in the 6th hole, while baseball and softball great Tony Satur won the competition on the 15th hole.

RGA president Jess Wabol also announced that RGA’s annual Turkey Shootout golf tournament would be held on Nov. 12, a Saturday, at the Lao Lao Bay Golf Resort west course.

Entry fee for the yearly affair, held to celebrate Thanksgiving, is $100. Monetary and in-kind prizes await winners of the Turkey Shootout. A get-together would be held after the tournament at the house of Joe Wabol.

The RGA president also reminded members that November qualifying tournament would be held on Oct. 29 at the Coral Ocean Point golf course. Check-in time is 12pm with tee time set an hour later at 1pm.

Wabol also reiterated RGA’s requirements for its yearend Club Championship. He said monthly champions must play in at least six ace tournaments or cede their slots in the yearend bash to their runners-up.

For more information about RGA and its monthly tournaments this year, contact Wabol at 288-1129, tourney director Tony Satur at 322-1562/1563, or secretary/treasurer Sonny Flores at 234-1748.