By Roselyn B. Monroyo
Variety News Staff

JUNIOR golfer James Balajadia started the season strong after topping the Refaluwasch Golfers Association’s January qualifying tournament last Saturday at the Marianas Country Club.
Balajadia shot a net 64 to beat six other RGA members in the club’s kickoff tournament for this year.
The 14-handicapper showed consistency at the Marpi-based golf facility shooting a 39 on both nines for a gross 78.
Balajadia’s net 64 will be the score to beat when RGA holds the January Ace tournament in the next government payday.
If Balajadia’s score remains unbeaten in the next tournament, the 17-year old junior golfer will claim the club’s first Ace crown.
Placing second in last Saturday’s tournament with a net 70 was RGA president Jess Wabol.
Actually, Wabol was tied with Joe “Kamikaze” Camacho for second place, but the former won the tiebreak with a 1-under par on the front nine. Wabol drilled an even par 36 on the back nine.
Kamikaze shot an even par 36 on the front and played better on the back of the 72-hole course with a 2-under par 34.
Kamikaze, who won last year’s October Ace, had two closest to the pin shots on hole Nos. 3 and 15.
Other RGA members who joined the first qualifying tournament of the year were Tony Satur, Alex Aquiningoc, Gus Camacho and Andy Nepaial.
The series of qualifying tournaments are being held to field the 12 slots for the RGA “Plas M. Tagabuel” Club Championships.
The monthly Ace winners will battle for the coveted RGA Cup trophy in December.
Last year’s participants in the RGA Cup were Gus Camacho (January) Joe Wabol (February), Bill Kaipat (March), Aquiningoc (April), Rex Palacios (May), Adam Hardwicke (June), Jess Wabol (July), Charlie Jo (August), Ben Duenas (September), “Kamikaze” (October), Ed Tenorio (November) and Sonny Flores (December).
June Ace Adam Hardwicke won the championship.
For more information on RGA tournaments, contact Jess Wabol at 288-1129.