Wabol prevails in Kristo Rai golf tournament

Jess Wabol won his second straight tournament in two weeks after following his game plan and getting some good breaks.

“It was just one of the lucky days. You just have to go your way. Maybe I was just well-rested,” said Wabol after winning the Championship Flight of the 3rd Annual Kristo Rai Parish Golf Tournament at the Laolao Bay Golf Resort in Kagman.

Wabol carded a 3-under par 69 to win by three shots over runner-up Rick Kautz, who submitted an even par 72.

Both players made a 35 on the front nine, but Wabol closed out with a 34 on the back while Kautz slowed down with a 37.

Joji Taguchi came in third with his 3-over par 75 (43-36).

“It was a good competition. Aside from going there and playing well, you also need some good breaks,” said Wabol, who finished only third last year, scoring a 77.

On Sept. 20, Wabol led his team to a title win in the 13th Annual Club at the Hyatt Golf Classic.

He is looking for his third win in a row next month as he plans to join a fund-raising tournament for the Commonwealth Health Center Volunteers Association on Oct. 12.

Kautz is hoping to recover in his next tournament and do to this, he said he needs to be steady on his long drives and keep his shots within the fairways and on the greens.

Kautz won last year’s A Flight.

The top three finishers for the A Flight this year were Francis San Nicolas (79), Ed Manglona (80), and Frank Castro (80).

In the B Flight, the winners were Juan Lizama (82), Ken. Kalen (83), and Fr. Manny Corcuera (83).

Corcuera won a special prize of $270 for making the day’s closest shot to the pin.

He made his mark on Hole No. 3, with a distance of about five feet and 11 inches.

The winners for C Flight were Jerry Ayuyu (85), M. Sablan (89), and Ruogi Takeshi (90) while the top three finishers in the Seniors Flight were Manny Alvarez (75), Ed Manibusan (75), and Nick Sablan (76).

The day’s lowest net score was 68, owned by Ladies Flight champion Soo Jeong Ku, who is a 14 handicapper. She recorded a 41 on the front and back nines for a gross of 82.

E. Chang, who had a 26 handicap, was second with her 69, while Kim Yang, was third with her 76.

A record total of 85 participants joined the tournament, which was a fundraising event of the Kristo Rai Parish Church.

Fr. Glen Ragsag said proceeds would be used for operational expenses of the parish, and he expressed the Parish Council’s appreciation to participants, volunteers, and donors, for the huge success of the tournament.

Organizers are still finalizing the exact amount of the funds raised.

Last year, about $10,000 was netted for the same cause.

Tournament coordinator Margaret Dela Cruz said that aside from $8,500 collected from the registration fee, there were other donations in cash and in kind from individuals and companies.