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Batallones is FilTaga October Ace
Rene Batallones must be thankful that William Retardo and Ruben Avendano had already clinched a berth in the FilTaga Ace of the Year.
William Retardo prepares to shoot a birdie putt on hole No. 13 in last Sunday’s FilTaga October Ace of the Month at the Marianas Country Club. Retardo and Ruben Avendano ended up tied but Rene Batallones clinched the October Ace after they had already topped the June and July monthly tournaments, respectively. (Jon Perez)
Batallones survived Sunday’s harsh and windy conditions at Marianas Country Club to secure the FilTaga October Ace of the Month and the berth that goes with it for the club’s yearend tournament.
He actually finished third behind Retardo and Avendano, who ended up tied on top after shooting identical 74s, but they already won the June and July monthly tournaments.
This gave Batallones, who was a shot back with a 75, the chance to seal the October Ace. He fired a 40 at the front nine and closed out with a 42 at the back for an 82 net and with his seven handicap gave him that 75.
Retardo started off hot with a 36 but slowed down for a 42 in the last nine holes giving him a 78. He’s a four handicapper for a gross score of 74.
Avendano, on the other hand, ended up with a 95 gross after shooting rounds of 51 and 44. He has a 21 handicap to tie Retardo on top.
Larry Pascual and Greg Castro complete the Top 5 after placing from fourth to fifth spots with 77s.
Pascual had an 86 net (44 and 42) and with a handicap of 10 earned him that 76, while Castro, a 13 handicapper, shot an 89 net following rounds of 47 and 42.
Adony Matutino, Norman Tenorio, FilTaga September Ace of the Month Nestor Siruelo, and Eric Mandell all had 77s, while Palik Thompson shot a 78 to complete the Top 10.
Tony Cabrera (79), Ernie Lopez (81), and Raffy Piamonte (82) also competed last Sunday. Paul Bea also played but did not finish.
Batallones now joins Vic Roman and Randy Tudela (A and B, January); Jhun Ortiz and Piamonte (A and B, February); Lopez (March); Bea (April); Pascual and Dandito Breboneria (A and B, May); Retardo (June); Cataluna and Avendano (A and B, July); Greg Castro (August); and Siruelo (September) in the FilTaga Ace of the Year.
FilTaga’s yearend tournament will either be held in late December or early January 2016.
