Lai keeps RGA January Ace

Joe Demapan fell two strokes shy of beating the score of qualifying tournament winner Cui Xian Lai, allowing the Chinese golfer to secure the Refaluwasch Golf Association January Ace title.

Demapan fired a net 66 in Sunday’s RGA tournament at the Coral Ocean Point to lead 26 other participants. But Demapan’s 66 was a shot behind Lai’ s 65, which the latter recorded during RGA’s qualifying tournament last Jan. 17.

RGA holds two tournaments in a month to determine the monthly Ace winner. The golfer who notches the lowest net after two tournaments takes the Ace and a slot to the year-end RGA Cup.

Lai also participated in Sunday’s tournament nailing a net 68 and prevailing in a three-way tie for third against Gus Camacho and Jesse Seman.

The 13-handicapper Demapan was alone on top during the weekend tournament after drilling a 38 and 41 on the front and back nines, respectively, for a gross 85.

New RGA member J.J. Atalig had an impressive debut finishing second with his net 67. The 18-handicapper Atalig was consistent at the Agingan Point course making a 42 and 43 on the front and back nines, respectively.

The 20-handicapper Lai had a 43 on the front and 45 on the back and his net 33 after the first nine holes allowed him to beat Camacho (34) and Seman (35.5) for third place.

The 8-handicapper Camacho recorded a 38 on both nines for a gross 76, while Seman had a 40 on the front and a 37 on the back for a gross 77.

There was also a tie for sixth to eighth place with Ray Villagomez outclassing Tom Tebuteb and Asterio Tawanpiy on the scorecard playoff on the front nine.

The 17-handicapper Villagomez shot a net 35.5 on the front, while Tebuteb posted 38 and Villagomez canned a 36.5. All three golfers had a net 69.

The 18 other RGA members who joined Sunday’s tournament were: Sonny Flores (70), Ben Duenas (70), Tars Olopai (70), S. Jin Kim (71), Louie Tilipao (72), Bae Young Man (72), Jess Wabol (72), Manny Mangarero (73), Joe Wabol 975), Ben Bae (77), Dwaine Stephens (77), Carl Hocog (77), Ray Tigilau (78), Jay Choi (78), Joe Limes (79), Tony Rogolifoi (80), Jordan Kosam (85), and Vince Attao (86).

Lai won the closest to the pin contest on hole No. 7, while Jess Wabol prevailed in hole No. 14.

Meanwhile, tournament director Jess Wabol thanked RGA president Kosam and his wife Bettylou for hosting a luncheon for club members Sunday.

Wabol also announced that RGA’s February qualifying tournament will be held on Feb. 14 at the Marianas Country Club.

For more information, contact Kosam at 483-4506 or Wabol at 288-1129/233-3673.