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Returnee tops RGA February qualifier
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Posted on Feb 24 2012
By Roselyn Monroyo
Reporter
Reporter
Former junior golfer Jay Choi is back on Saipan and made his presence felt early after ruling the Refaluwasch Golf Association’s February Ace qualifying tournament held on Feb. 12 at the Kingfisher Golf Links.
Choi, who moved to Korea two years ago and enrolled in a golf academy there, shot a field best net 67 to set the score to beat for the February Ace event this Sunday at Kingfisher. If no RGA member surpasses Choi’s score, the returning RGA members gets to keep the February plum.
The 12-handicapper Choi logged a 41 on the front nine of at the Talafofo course and then had a strong finish with his 38 on the back nine for a gross 79 and a one-stroke lead over three other RGA members.
Kim So, Ray Tigilau, and Tony Rogolifoi had identical net scores of 68s, but the latter failed to make it to the Top 3 after losing in the scorecard tiebreak on the front nine. The 15-handicapper Tigilau carded a 38 and 45 on the front and back nines, respectively, for a gross 83 and net 30.5 in the first nine holes to take the No, 2 spot. So, who had a gross 37, built on a 36 on the front and 39 on the back, ended up in third with his net 32.5. The 16-handicapper Rogolifoi, who fired a 44 and 40 on the front and back nines for a gross 84, had net 36 in the first nine holes to drop to fourth place.
Eleven other RGA members joined this month’s qualifier. The list includes Jess Wabol (net 75), Tars Olopai (78), Joe Saures (85), Tom Tebuteb (79), Lawrence Camacho, Jr. (85), Ahn Huigen (72), Jordan Kosam (72), Ulysis Kapileo (75), Harry Nakamura (76), Nick Leon Guerrero (75), and Joe Limes (75).
The 15 golfers also battled for the closest to the pin shots on hole Nos. 6 and 12 with Choi winning at No. 6 and Leon Guerrero prevailing at No. 12.
Meanwhile, RGA is still open for membership at $25 per year. For more information, contact Saures at 483-5508, Wabol at 288-1119, and treasurer/handicap director Sonny Flores at 234-1748.
