CEBU – Unheralded Arnold Villacencio sneaked in a one-under 69 in challenging condition at the Cebu Country Club, moving past a slew of favorites and snatching a two-stroke lead over Marvin Dumandan at the start of the $65,000 Aboitiz Invitational presented by ICTSI 2011 here, Wednesday.
Villacencio, who also led in the ICTSI Eastridge leg of the local circuit last May but faded and settled for joint third, holed out with back-to-back birdies from No. 8, spiking a sterling frontside stint for the day’s lone under-par card at the par-70 course, whose tight fairways and tough greens bedeviled the games of the starting 102-player field in this leg of the Asian Development Tour.
“The key here actually is driving. But it’s still too early to tell (my chances) although it’s a good start,” said Villacencio in Filipino.
The Davao native appeared headed for a bleak one with early bogeys on Nos. 11 and 13 but he came through with birdies on Nos. 14 and 16 inside five feet, dropped another shot on the 18th before holing out with a four-footer and a tap-in birdie for a 33-36 round.
Dumandan, out to end a long title drought after annexing three leg victories on the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour last year, also leaned on a frontside rally of 33 to salvage an even par 70 as the rest either struggled with wayward shots to the greens or simply groped for form on the unpredictable putting surface.
“I hit just three greens so I guess I would have turned in a better score if I had hit more,” said Dumandan, another Davaoeno and one of the fancied bets in the 72-hole championship sponsored by Aboitiz Equity Ventures (AEV) and presented by International Container Terminal Services, Inc.
Jay Bayron took off from where he left last year and threatened to blow away the field in his title retention bid with a three-under 32. But he stumbled with five bogeys at the back, marred by three straight from No. 13, and needed to birdie the par-4 17th to save a round of 71.
He forged a four-way tie for third with fellow Davaoenos Cassius Casas, Edgar Ababa and Elmer Salvador, the pro-am winner last Tuesday, who turned in a one-under par at front but hobbled with two bogeys coming home.
“I’m satisfied with my performance although I didn’t play that well,” said Salvador in Filipino. “You need to have good iron shots and steady putting to do good here because the greens are really hard.”
Thailand’s Tony Mansuwan and American Jonathan Moore emerged the best placed foreigners in the fold, carding identical 72s for a share of seventh with local bets Randy Garalde, Antonio Asistio II and teener Miguel Tabuena, who is coming off a joint 14th place finish in Taiwan Championship last week.
birdied two of the first six holes at the front but dropped four strokes in the next five, including a wet double-bogey on the par-4 11th, and finished with a 72.
“If you get the wrong distance here, you have to hit it right so you can put enough spin on the ball,” said Tabuena, who was even par after nine holes but dumped his shot in the hazard on No. 11 for a double-bogey.
Australian Matt Docking made a 73 to join a big group of three-over scorers, who included Anthony Fernando, Albin Engino, Michael Bibat, Paulo San Gabriel, Raul Minoza, Rufino Bayron Jhonnel Ababa and Tony Lascuna.
Taiwanese Chiang Chen-chih, winner of the ADT‘s Transcend Open last May, hit two birdies but had two three-bogey strings in a punishing day, including from No. 7 that marred his windup at the front. He ended up with a 74. Some of the big guns sputtered in the early going of the 72-hole championship on a course that requires accuracy with Artemio Murakami hobbling with three bogeys after nine holes and limping with a 76.
Taiwanese Kao Shang Hung, winner of last week’s Ballantine's Taiwan Championship of the Asian Development Tour, suddenly withdrew from the tournament, apparently in disgust of a horrible a nine-over 44 score at the back.
The event is backed by MJ Carr Golf Management, Inc., Srixon, Callaway, Unilab, BDO, Titleist, Sharp, Custom Clubmakers, Mizuno, Empire Golf & Sports Shop, PinoyGolfer.com, Inquirer Golf, Omnisource International, A Round of Golf, Studio 23, Balls, and Dynamic Sports.(pr)
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Aboitiz Invit’l unfolds; Juvic pulls out
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| Davao's Elmer Salvador |
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| Chiang Chen-chih |
CEBU – The $65,000 (P2.7 million) Aboitiz Invitational presented by ICTSI 2011 begins Wednesday, Aug. 31 with the local stars, despite their so-called home-court advantage at the Cebu Country Club here, facing an uphill battle against a crack international field with the last-minute withdrawal by ace Juvic Pagunsan.
Tipped as the best bet to record the first Filipino win on the Asian Development Tour, Pagunsan pulled out on the eve of the 72-hole championship, citing foot injury that has hampered his preparations for the first-ever Philippine event to be featured on the fledgling circuit.
Pagunsan has dominated the first half of the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour, winning four of the first nine legs and would have been a top contender for top honors in this penultimate leg of the ADT had he joined the starting 106-player field.
That includes Taiwanese Kao Shang-hung and Chiang Chen-chih, who are seeking their second leg victories on the circuit as spearheads a big foreign contingent in what promises to be a four-day shootout with the leading Filipino shotmakers on a tight course with unpredictable putting surface.
Kao, fresh from a one-stroke victory in the Ballantine’s Taiwan Championship of the ADT last week, drew a late tee-off time at 11:40 a.m. on No. 10 with ICTSI-Bacolod leg winner Robert Pactolerin and Rufino Bayron, while Chiang, winner of ADT’s fourth leg – the Transcend Open – last May, is featured in a tough group that includes Davao’s aces Tony Lascuna and Marvin Dumandan at 7:30 a.m., also on No. 10.
Mhark Fernando, coming off a breakthrough win in ICTSI-Del Monte two weeks ago, hopes to lead the local challenge in the absence of Pagunsan although lack of practice has slowed down the former amateur hotshot.
“I hardly played after I won in Del Monte but given the condition of the course, I think 10-under will win here,” said Fernando, during a break in yesterday’s pro-am, in Filipino.
Aside from Pagunsan, two other Filipino aces are not in the list with Angelo Que opting to compete in the Omega European Masters in Switzerland and Frankie Minoza vying in Japan although the locals’ roster remained as formidable as ever.
Jay Bayron, who ended a long title drought with a wire-to-wire triumph over Pagunsan here last year, takes aim for a second straight win although the 32-year-old Davaoeno has struggled the last few months, losing a playoff battle to Jhonnel Ababa at ICTSI-Iloilo, hobbling in joint 24th in the Thailand Open and finishing in joint 21st at ICTSI-Del Monte two weeks ago.
He starts out with American Matthew Rosenfeld and Fernando at 11:45 a.m. on No. 1 while teener Miguel Tabuena, 14th in Taiwan last week, hopes to come out strong in one of the early flights at 7:30 a.m. on No. 1 with ICTSI-Iloilo leg winner Jhonnel Ababa and Australian Matt Docking.
Artemio Murakami, the leading Filipino bet on the ADT, is raring to atone for a missed cut stint in Taiwan against Brunei’s Faiz Damit and Gene Bondoc in the 11:25 a.m. flight on No. 1 while another Filipino favorite, Elmer Salvador, sets out at 7:40 a.m. on No. 1 with Taiwanese Chang Tse-peng and Matt Freake of Australia.
Veteran Cassius Casas also hopes to contend for the crown along with fellow former Philippine Open champion Gerald Rosales, Mars Pucay, Ferdie Aunzo, Anthony Fernando, the comebacking Ramon Brobio, and young turks Carl Santos-Ocampo, Jerson Balasabas and Antonio Asistio II.
“My ball striking is okay, I think 16-under total will win here,” said Casas.
The event, sponsored by Aboitiz Equity Ventures (AEV) which is into power, financial services, food and transportation business and presented by International Container Terminal Services, Inc., is backed by MJ Carr Golf Management, Inc., Srixon, Callaway, Unilab, BDO, Titleist, Sharp, Custom Clubmakers, Mizuno, Empire Golf & Sports Shop, PinoyGolfer.com, Inquirer Golf, Omnisource International, A Round of Golf, Studio 23, Balls, and Dynamic Sports.(pr)
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| Miguel Tabuena |
Friday, August 26, 2011
Jaraulas force 3-way logjam at helm
DAVAO – Cousins Boboy Jaraula and Raymond Jaraula charged home with a brilliant four-under 32 to salvage a 72 and force a three-way tie for the lead with the Randy Garalde-Ryan Co and Ernie Rellon-Marcel Puyat pairs in the second round of the Davao National Pro-Am presented by Samsung at the Apo Golf and Country Club here Friday.
The Jaraulas looked headed for a poor stint after a 40 and two bogeys against a birdie at the back but rattled off five birdies in the last six holes, including a four-birdie string from No. 13 for that 72, putting them back into title contention with one round left in the P1 million event.
The Garalde-Co and Rellon-Puyat tandems also toughened up at the backside with a pair of 35s with the former matching the Jaraulas’ even par output and the latter birdying the last two holes for a 35 and a 73 for identical 145s.
Antonio Asistio II and partner Brent Sumampong carded a 74 and were a stroke adrift at 146 while Raul Minoza and Bunny Abano hobbled with a 76 but remained in the hunt at 147 in a tie with the Eddie Bagtas-Aris Mata pair, which shot a 74.
But while the unfancied pros drew solid games from their amateur partners in the alternate-shot format event sponsored by Samsung and Emcor, the tour’s big guns continued to struggle with their teammates and stood way behind to contend for the top P172,000 purse.
First round leaders Elmer Salvador and Ludwig Ledesma, who shot a 70 in the first round, shot themselves in the foot this time, making eight bogeys and a double bogey against two birdies for an 80 as they tumbled to seventh at 150, five strokes behind.
Frankie Minoza and Ting Castillo made a 74 but remained six shots behind at 151 in a tie with Jun Bernis and Toffee Tionko, who hobbled with a 79 in the event backed by Kawasaki, Apo Golf and Country Club, Cargo Serv, Goetz, Transworld, Malayan Insurance, Dasia Security, LVL Construction and Vigor Construction.
Jay Bayron and Alemar Etrone were at 155 after a 79 in a tie with Ferdie Aunzo and Monchit Macay, who had a 77, and four other teams, while Cassius Casas and Benjie Senning were at 156 after an 80, and Jhonnel Ababa and partner Benjie Leparto were at 158 after a 77.
Worse were the teams led by Tony Lascuna, Juvic Pagunsan, Mhark Fernando and Robert Pactolerin which all missed the 43-team cut at 160 with Marvin Dumandan and Anthony Sasin, who had a 79 and a 160, clinching the last berth by beating Bentoy Lascuna-Tebor Marcelino (79), Cesar Ababa-Art Ong (79) and Tony Lascuna-Jun Serado (83) in the countback.
Pagunsan, who swept the ICTSI Apo leg titles on the local circuit the last three years, including a four-shot romp over Salvador three weeks ago, failed to recover from an opening 82 with Rico Cajili as they made an 83 for a 165.
Fernando, who scored a breakthrough win at Del Monte last week, and partner Bong Cabang also made an 83 for a 166 while Pactolerin, the surprise winner at ICTSI-Negros Occidental last month, had a 79 with Boy Paduano for a 167 and bowed out in the event supported by Skygo, Camel, JD Alvarado Architects, RDV Printing, Koppel, Unicenter, The Hive, Business Mirror, Microtel Davao, Air Philippines Express, Footjoy and TItleist by Empire Golf, Mizuno, Custom Clubmakers, Glucoscare and Omnisource Int'l.(pr)
The Jaraulas looked headed for a poor stint after a 40 and two bogeys against a birdie at the back but rattled off five birdies in the last six holes, including a four-birdie string from No. 13 for that 72, putting them back into title contention with one round left in the P1 million event.
The Garalde-Co and Rellon-Puyat tandems also toughened up at the backside with a pair of 35s with the former matching the Jaraulas’ even par output and the latter birdying the last two holes for a 35 and a 73 for identical 145s.
Antonio Asistio II and partner Brent Sumampong carded a 74 and were a stroke adrift at 146 while Raul Minoza and Bunny Abano hobbled with a 76 but remained in the hunt at 147 in a tie with the Eddie Bagtas-Aris Mata pair, which shot a 74.
But while the unfancied pros drew solid games from their amateur partners in the alternate-shot format event sponsored by Samsung and Emcor, the tour’s big guns continued to struggle with their teammates and stood way behind to contend for the top P172,000 purse.
First round leaders Elmer Salvador and Ludwig Ledesma, who shot a 70 in the first round, shot themselves in the foot this time, making eight bogeys and a double bogey against two birdies for an 80 as they tumbled to seventh at 150, five strokes behind.
Frankie Minoza and Ting Castillo made a 74 but remained six shots behind at 151 in a tie with Jun Bernis and Toffee Tionko, who hobbled with a 79 in the event backed by Kawasaki, Apo Golf and Country Club, Cargo Serv, Goetz, Transworld, Malayan Insurance, Dasia Security, LVL Construction and Vigor Construction.
Jay Bayron and Alemar Etrone were at 155 after a 79 in a tie with Ferdie Aunzo and Monchit Macay, who had a 77, and four other teams, while Cassius Casas and Benjie Senning were at 156 after an 80, and Jhonnel Ababa and partner Benjie Leparto were at 158 after a 77.
Worse were the teams led by Tony Lascuna, Juvic Pagunsan, Mhark Fernando and Robert Pactolerin which all missed the 43-team cut at 160 with Marvin Dumandan and Anthony Sasin, who had a 79 and a 160, clinching the last berth by beating Bentoy Lascuna-Tebor Marcelino (79), Cesar Ababa-Art Ong (79) and Tony Lascuna-Jun Serado (83) in the countback.
Pagunsan, who swept the ICTSI Apo leg titles on the local circuit the last three years, including a four-shot romp over Salvador three weeks ago, failed to recover from an opening 82 with Rico Cajili as they made an 83 for a 165.
Fernando, who scored a breakthrough win at Del Monte last week, and partner Bong Cabang also made an 83 for a 166 while Pactolerin, the surprise winner at ICTSI-Negros Occidental last month, had a 79 with Boy Paduano for a 167 and bowed out in the event supported by Skygo, Camel, JD Alvarado Architects, RDV Printing, Koppel, Unicenter, The Hive, Business Mirror, Microtel Davao, Air Philippines Express, Footjoy and TItleist by Empire Golf, Mizuno, Custom Clubmakers, Glucoscare and Omnisource Int'l.(pr)
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Salvador-Ledesma takes charge in Samsung pro-am
DAVAO – Elmer Salvador and Ludwig Ledesma combined for a two-under par 70 in tough condition to wrest a one-stroke lead over the Raul Miñoza-Bunny Abaño pair at the start of the Samsung-Emcor Davao National Pro-Am presented by Samsung at the Apo Golf and Country Club here, Thursday.
Salvador, who shot an eight-under 64 to finish second to Juvic Pagunsan in the ICTSI Apo Invitational three weeks ago, and Ledesma rallied with a 34 at the backside to emerge the leading pair in a 90-team starting field in the 54-hole P1 million tournament played under the alternate-shot format.
Raul Minoza and Bunny Abaño combined for a 35 at the front to finish with a 71 while only three teams matched par as the tour’s big guns struggled with their respective amateurs, who include leading players in the ranks, on a tight course made tougher and longer by overnight rains.
Antonio Asistio II and Brent Sumampong, and Jun Bernis and Toffee Tionko strung up identical 36-36 rounds while Ernie Rellon and top amateur Marcel Puyat, on a break from his studies at Stanford U, overcame a 38 at the front with a 34 for joint third.
In the hunt with 73s are the pairs of Eddie Bagtas-Aris Mata, Ramil Bisera-Toshiaki Shinmura, Boboy Jaraula-Raymond Jaraula, and Randy Garalde-Ryan Co, while the Jong Laput-Rex Goquinco and Dodot Ababa-Vincent Gumapac tandems stood at 74 and Larry Villasencio and Ariel Villasencio made a 75.
Pagunsan, winner of the ICTSI Apo leg of the Philippine Golf Tour the past three years, struggled in his partnership with Rico Cajili in the foursomes format, hobbling with an 82 to fall 12 shots off the pace.
Jay Bayron and Alemar Etrone fumbled with a 40 at the front and wound up with a 76 to join the group of Cassius Casas-Benjie Senining, Charles Hong-Zanie Boy Gialon, and Sonny Villaber-Gen Nagai.
“The course is tough due to rains the past few days,” said Casas, one of the local bets tipped to contend for the top P172,000 crown in the event sponsored by Samsung and held in coordination with top retail network Emcor.
Frankie Minoza and Ting Castillo sputtered at the back with a 41 but salvaged a 77, the same output put in by Tony Lascuna and Jun Serado, Richard Sinfuego and Bobby Iñigo, and Fernando Lumawag and Julius Susarno.
Mhark Fernando, coming off a big victory in the ICTSI Del Monte Classic in Bukidnon last week, also had an awful start with partner Bong Cabang as the duo made an 83.
Most of the big guns also wavered with homegrown bets Tony Lascuna carding a 77 with partner Jun Serado, Ferdie Aunzo and Monchit Mocay shooting a 78, Anthony Fernando and Larry Pasquil making a 79, and Jhonnel Ababa, winner of the ICTSI Iloilo stage, and Benjie Leparto had an 81 in a tie with Marvin Dumandan-Anthony Sasin and six others.
Other backers of the tournament are Kawasaki, Apo Golf and Country Club, Cargo Serv, Goetz, Transworld, Malayan Insurance, Dasia Security, LVL Construction and Vigor Construction while minor sponsors are Skygo, Camel, JD Alvarado Architects, RDV Printing, Koppel, Unicenter, The Hive, Business Mirror, Microtel Davao, Air Philippines Express, Footjoy and TItleist by Empire Golf, Mizuno, Custom Clubmakers, Glucoscare and Omnisource Int'l.(pr)
Salvador, who shot an eight-under 64 to finish second to Juvic Pagunsan in the ICTSI Apo Invitational three weeks ago, and Ledesma rallied with a 34 at the backside to emerge the leading pair in a 90-team starting field in the 54-hole P1 million tournament played under the alternate-shot format.
Raul Minoza and Bunny Abaño combined for a 35 at the front to finish with a 71 while only three teams matched par as the tour’s big guns struggled with their respective amateurs, who include leading players in the ranks, on a tight course made tougher and longer by overnight rains.
Antonio Asistio II and Brent Sumampong, and Jun Bernis and Toffee Tionko strung up identical 36-36 rounds while Ernie Rellon and top amateur Marcel Puyat, on a break from his studies at Stanford U, overcame a 38 at the front with a 34 for joint third.
In the hunt with 73s are the pairs of Eddie Bagtas-Aris Mata, Ramil Bisera-Toshiaki Shinmura, Boboy Jaraula-Raymond Jaraula, and Randy Garalde-Ryan Co, while the Jong Laput-Rex Goquinco and Dodot Ababa-Vincent Gumapac tandems stood at 74 and Larry Villasencio and Ariel Villasencio made a 75.
Pagunsan, winner of the ICTSI Apo leg of the Philippine Golf Tour the past three years, struggled in his partnership with Rico Cajili in the foursomes format, hobbling with an 82 to fall 12 shots off the pace.
Jay Bayron and Alemar Etrone fumbled with a 40 at the front and wound up with a 76 to join the group of Cassius Casas-Benjie Senining, Charles Hong-Zanie Boy Gialon, and Sonny Villaber-Gen Nagai.
“The course is tough due to rains the past few days,” said Casas, one of the local bets tipped to contend for the top P172,000 crown in the event sponsored by Samsung and held in coordination with top retail network Emcor.
Frankie Minoza and Ting Castillo sputtered at the back with a 41 but salvaged a 77, the same output put in by Tony Lascuna and Jun Serado, Richard Sinfuego and Bobby Iñigo, and Fernando Lumawag and Julius Susarno.
Mhark Fernando, coming off a big victory in the ICTSI Del Monte Classic in Bukidnon last week, also had an awful start with partner Bong Cabang as the duo made an 83.
Most of the big guns also wavered with homegrown bets Tony Lascuna carding a 77 with partner Jun Serado, Ferdie Aunzo and Monchit Mocay shooting a 78, Anthony Fernando and Larry Pasquil making a 79, and Jhonnel Ababa, winner of the ICTSI Iloilo stage, and Benjie Leparto had an 81 in a tie with Marvin Dumandan-Anthony Sasin and six others.
Other backers of the tournament are Kawasaki, Apo Golf and Country Club, Cargo Serv, Goetz, Transworld, Malayan Insurance, Dasia Security, LVL Construction and Vigor Construction while minor sponsors are Skygo, Camel, JD Alvarado Architects, RDV Printing, Koppel, Unicenter, The Hive, Business Mirror, Microtel Davao, Air Philippines Express, Footjoy and TItleist by Empire Golf, Mizuno, Custom Clubmakers, Glucoscare and Omnisource Int'l.(pr)
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Star-studded Davao National Samsung pro-am unfolds
The P1 million Davao National Pro-Am unwraps on Thursday, Aug. 25, with eight of the top 10 players on the local tour’s Order of Merit ranking and a host of top amateurs, including a former national champion, vying for top honors at the Apo Golf and Country Club in Davao.
Juvic Pagunsan, winner of four of the first nine legs of the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour and the current OOM frontrunner, heads the chase for the top P172,000 purse in the 54-hole event presented by Samsung, hoping to keep his win streak at the quaint par-72 layout he has mastered the last three years.
The smooth-swinging Bacolod pro has ruled the ICTSI Apo leg for three straight years, including a four-shot romp over homegrown bet Elmer Salvador three weeks ago, making him the player to beat in the event held in coordination with leading retail network Emcor.
But Pagunsan needs to draw the best from amateur partner Rico Trajano in the alternate shot format where one has to set up a good shot for the other to produce a low score the way Edgar Ababa and Paul Echavez did in beating Dan Cruz and Jerson Balasabas by five in last year’s staging of the event.
Salvador, No. 2 in the OOM derby, is teaming up with Ludwig Ledesma, No. 3 Tony Lascuna is with Jun Serado, while No. 4 Jhonnel Ababa has partnered with Benjie Leparto.
No. 5 Mhark Fernando, fresh from his maiden pro victory at ICTSI Del Monte last week, has tapped Bong Cabang as his partner, reigning OOM champion Jay Bayron will team up with Alemar Etrone, while No. 9 Orlan Sumcad has partnered with Bien Cerbo.
Frankie Minoza, the former two-time Philippine Open champion, makes a rare appearance on a local tournament as he teams up with Ting Castillo in the event backed by Kawasaki, Apo Golf and Country Club, Cargo Serv, Goetz, Transworld, Malayan Insurance, Dasia Security, LVL Construction and Vigor Construction.
Other teams fancied to contend for the crown are Cassius Casas-Benjie Senining, Ferdie Aunzo-Monchit Macay, Marvin Dumandan-Anthony Sasin and Anthony Fernando with Atty.Larry Pasquil, a player to watch after a swing change.
Clyde Mondilla, the national champion in 2010 and spearhead of the Del Monte team that ruled this year’s PAL Interclub, will be with his father Ondoy while Jimmy Bayron and Peter Villaber tapped two lady partners in Sarah Ababa and Apple Fudolin, respectively.
The tournament is supported by Skygo, Camel, JD Alvarado Architects, RDV Printing, Koppel, Unicenter, The Hive, Business Mirror, Microtel Davao, Air Philippines Express, Footjoy and TItleist by Empire Golf, Mizuno, Custom Clubmakers, Glucoscare and Omnisource Int’l.
For details, log on to www.bluemansioncompany.com
Sunday, August 21, 2011
GDAP stages 16th RP Int'l Golf Show in Sept.
Golf Distributors Association of the Philippines announces the staging of the 16th Philippine International Golf Show on September 9 to 11 at the SMX Convention Center in SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City, Metro Manila.
"We would like to invite golfers from Davao, General Santos, Cagayan de Oro and the rest of Mindanao to visit Manila in time for this year's biggest golf show," says GDAP president Raymund Atendido.
He added that with the major price slash downs, freebies and other promos to be offered by major golf brands including Nike Golf, Adams Golf, Bridgestone Golf, Ping, Mizuno, Taylor Made, Maruman, Fourteen, Callaway, Phiten, Oakley and Loro, the annual golf show is definitely the best place to shop whether for an equipment upgrade or for gifts to fellow golfers, family or friends. It will be worth their while to visit Manila all the way from Mindanao.
GDAP members Acro Golf, Aetna Manila, Besa’s Shoes, Great Depot, Pacsports, Pauline’s Group Inc., Master Sports, Raymundo’s Trophies & Sculptures, RMA Trading, Transview Golf lead the roster of golfshow exhibitors to fill in more than 120 booths at the show.
Golf course managers are invited to reserve slots for the free seminar entitled “Irrigation of Tropical Landscapes and Turfgrass: Is it really necessary?” with guest speaker Prof. Robert Morris, a Horticulture Specialist and Associate Professor Emeritus of University of Nevada whose list of clientele includes 9 of the major golf courses in Las Vegas. Only the first 50 to register will be accommodated. Certificate of attendance will be given to all seminar participants.
For inquiries and slot reservation, call Golfshow Secretariat at (02) 5848317 or register at www.gdap.org.(pr)
Gonzales, Marfori sizzle anew in 8th RPVGCC tourney
Vic Gonzales shot a gross 83 while Joe Marfori finished with a gross 76 as both emerged champions in the 8th Rancho Palos Verdes Golf and Country Club Monthly Medal Tournament, recently, in Brgy.Mandug.
Gonzales bested Southern Motors top honcho Milton Liu who submitted a 92 to take the super senior's division title while Marfori beat Horiuchi Sheginubo in a countback in the senior's division.
William Donohoe's 71 was just enough to win over Al Dayot for the super senior's net crown while Louie Brodeth's 68 gave him the senior's net title over Manny Nitorreda who finished with a 70.
Liezel Apitan secured the women's net crown with a 74 as runner-up Sally Sequenza came up with a 90. Kim Gye Sun shared the limelight by ruling the gross division with an 86.
In the guest's division, Tibor Marcelino (gross 75) and Osamo Ikeda (net 75) bagged the Division 1 titles while Philip Velasquez (gross 86) and Ricky Pineda (net 70) lifted the Division 2 champion's trophies.
Miguel Samong won the 12-17 years old division with a 106.
RPVGCC general manager Albert Casenas led golf officials in the awarding of trophies to the winners.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Juvic cruises to 4-shot win over Salvador
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| Juvic Pagunsan displays his trophy as Jimmy Larrabaster (center), president of Apo Golf and Country Club, and Jules Domingo, general manager of DIPSSCOR, ICTSI Davao Unit, look on during awards rites of the ICTSI Apo Golf. |
DAVAO - Juvic Pagunsan annexed his fourth leg title on the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour with a closing two-under 70 recently, completing a wire-to-wire victory over a badly outclassed field that included the country's finest shotmakers in the ICTSI Apo Golf Invitational at the Apo Golf and Country Club here.
Not even Davaoeno's Elmer Salvador's bogey-free eight-under 64 could shake Pagunsan off his lofty perch as the ace shotmaker built a big cushion with a pair of 66s then played just good enough to add another P200,000 to his earnings and his third Apo crown to his trophy cabinet.
Unlike in his first two victories here, however, this one should rank high since he didn't only humble the cream of the crop with his solid all around game but outclassed them with a 14-under 202.
It was virtually over after 36 holes as Pagunsan took a whopping eight-shot lead over first round co-leader Jhonnel Ababa with Salvador too far behind at 10 adrift to ever mount a serious challenge over the last 18 holes.
Salvador did chop four strokes off Pagunsan's lead after nine holes with a 32 but ran out of holes and settled for the tournament-best 64 and the runner-up honors worth P120,000 with a 206.
Pagunsan fended off Salvador's threat with back-to-back birdies from No. 13 for that 70 while the former Philippine Open champion sustained his charge with four birdies at the back, including three straight from No. 16.
Ababa, who nipped Jay Bayron to record his first pro win in the ICTSI Iloilo Golf Challenge last month, shot a 69 and wound up third at 209 worth P65,000.
The win was Pagunsan's fourth after eight legs of the circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. and sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc., firming up his claim as the most dominant player on the tour. He earlier topped the Royal Northwoods, Orchard and Eastridge stages of the circuit.
It also more than made up for his final day collapse in the ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic in Bacolod after dumping his caddie early in the round and settling for third place.
The victory also makes him the overwhelming favorite as the tour heads for Bukidnon next week for the ICSI Del Monte Championship.
Teener Miguel Tabuena turned in a second straight 69 and posted his best finish in a young pro career at joint fourth with Davaoeno Elmer Saban, who also made a 69, at 215. Each got P45,000.
Tony Lascuna wound up sixth with a 213 after a 68 while another homegrown bet Ferdie Aunzo shot a 70 and finished tied for seventh with Michael Bibat, who floundered with a 73 for 214.
Ruben Sasutil made a 71 and wound up tied with Danny Zarate (73) and Ramil Bisera (72) for ninth at 215.
The tour's other big guns finished way below expectations with Asian Tour campaigner Mars Pucay in joint 14th at 218 after a 71, Frankie Minoza (76) and Cassius Casas (73) in joint 17th at 219, Marvin Dumandan tied for 22nd at 221 after a 71, and Angelo Que, winner of the second leg at ICTSI-Mt. Malarayat, in share of 26th at 222 after a 73.
Rupert Zaragoza, meanwhile, firmed up his claim as the country's leading amateur as he took the honors with a 221 after a 71, beating Art Arbole, who skied to an 80 for a 229.[PR]
Fernando hits mark, beats Pagunsan by 3
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| Mhark Fernando (center) receives his trophy from Jose Marie Fernandez (right), MICTSI terminal manager, ICTSI CDO Unit, and Del Monte Golf Club chairman Raul Leonen after scoring his maiden win at ICTSI Del Monte Championship. |
BUKIDNON – Mhark Fernando rode on a three birdie-string from No. 14 to card a 69 and record his first pro victory in the P1 million Del Monte Championship while thwarting Juvic Pagunsan’s bid for a record fifth leg title at the Del Monte Golf Club here, Friday.
The late birdie-binge turned what had been a tightly fought backside battle into a cruise as Fernando stormed to a three-shot win over Pagunsan, who rallied from three strokes down to draw level with Fernando four times until he lost his putting touch and failed to hit any birdie after No. 10.
A tap-in birdie at the par-5 No. 14 sparked Fernando’s blazing finish as he made another birdie putt from pin-length distance on the next then capped his exploits with a third one from 16 feet.
He wound up with a 12-under 204, completing a run of under-par scores that included a 68 and 67 in the 54-hole tournament, and ending a two-year long search for a breakthrough win in the pro ranks.
Fernando actually won the ICTSI Riviera Classic in tough playing conditions in 2009 but as an amateur and waited this long to savor the sweet taste of a pro win worth P200,000 and with a victory over the most fancied player in the fold.
Pagunsan also strung up three under-par cards at the tight, mountain top layout, including a final round 69 as he settled for runner-up honors at 207 after routing the field in last week’s ICTSI Apo leg of the circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. and sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. He took home P120,000.
The four-leg winner, in a flight ahead with Cassius Casas and Elmer Salvador, appeared headed for an explosive windup when he made three birdies in an eight-hole stretch to catch Fernando, in a flight behind, at the helm for the third time after No. 10.
Fernando, who had a shaky two-birdie, two-bogey frontside for a 36, birdied No. 11 to go 1-up again but bogeyed the par-3 12th, enabling Pagunsan to tie with back-to-back pars.
Anthony Fernando, one shot behind cousin Mhark Fernando at the start of the final round, also made the turn at even par then birdied No. 10 to force a three-way tie for the lead.
But he failed to get up and down on No. 11 and missed a couple of birdie putts in the next four holes. He birdied the par-3 16th but holed out with a bogey for a 72 for solo third at 208 worth P65,000.
Casas, who won this event last year when Pagunsan and two others were disqualified, birdied No. 3 to tie Mhark Fernando, who made a bogey, but sputtered with three bogeys in the next four holes on a three-putt (No. 5) and missed green (Nos. 7 and 8). He rebounded with two birdies to salvage a 72 for joint fourth with Artemio Murakami at 209.
Murakami, who missed the cut at Apo, turned in a bogey-free 70 to likewise finish with under-par scores in the tournament backed by MJ Carr Golf Management, Inc., Srixon, Callaway, Unilab, BDO, Titleist, Sharp, Custom Clubmakers, Mizuno, Empire Golf & Sports Shop, PinoyGolfer.com, Inquirer Golf, Omnisource International, A Round of Golf, Studio 23, Balls, and Dynamic Sports.
The comebacking Gerald Rosales shot the day’s best round of 67, including three birdies at the back, and ended up tied for sixth with Salvador and Art Arbole at 210.
Salvador, who also moved within one off the lead after No. 10, blew his bid with bogeys on Nos. 11 and 13 as he wound up with a 72 while Arbole also matched par 72 and took the low amateur honors.
Carl Santos-Ocampo, another rookie pro, shot a 71 and finished solo ninth at 211 while former Masters champion Rodrigo Cuello (69), Asian Tour campaigner Mars Pucay (71), Randy Garalde (73), Antonio Asistio II (71) and Jerson Balasabas (75) tied for 10th at 212.(pr)
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Red-hot Juvic storms to 8-shot lead
DAVAO - Juvic Pagunsan eagled No. 18 for the second straight day and poised to rout the field for the third straight year with another 66, pulling away by eight strokes over erstwhile co-leader Jhonnel Ababa, who dropped five strokes in one hole in the second round of the ICTSI Apo Golf Invitational here, Thursday.
Showing his mastery of the tough Apo layout, Pagunsan duplicated his opening six-under par card as he continued to outclass a stellar field, including the homegrown bets, to virtually wrap up a fourth leg title just halfway through the 16-stage circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.
His 36-hole aggregate of 132 could well go down as the lowest in the three-year-old tour sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. with the ace shotmaker from Negros expected to go for a new scoring record and post a new winning mark in one season in today's final round.
Marvin Dumandan won three leg titles last year.
Ababa, who matched Pagunsan's 66 Wednesday despite a late tee off, started out early yesterday but came up with just one birdie after seven holes at the front before fumbling with a 9 on the par-4 No. 8 when he drove into the hazard, hit his third shot into a stymied lie and took a penalty.
He then dumped his approach shot into the greenside bunker and three-putted although he made two birdies in the last six holes to salvage a two-over 74 for second at four-under 140.
Michael Bibat, the former Asian Games bronze medalist still in search of a big win in the pro ranks, shot a two-under 70 for joint third with former national team mainstay Jerson Balasabas, who matched par 72, at 141 while Danny Zarate turned in a second 71 for a 142 in a tie with Elmer Saban and Elmer Salvador, who carded a 72 and 73, respectively.
Teener Miguel Tabuena birdied the last three holes at the front for a 69 as he joined Zarate, Saban and Salvador in fifth.
Except for Artemio Murakami, who missed the cut pegged at 152 with an awful 80 for a 155, the top guns made it to the top 40 plus ties but all stood too far behind Pagunsan with one round left in the 54-hole P1 million event.
Frankie Minoza fired a 71 but lay 11 shots back at 143 for joint ninth with Ramil Bisera, who had a 70, and Anthony Fernando, who shot a 70, while Angelo Que, runaway winner at ICTSI-Mt. Malarayat, bounced back from an opening 78 with a 71 and made it to the final round at 149.
Art Arbole remained the top amateur at 149 after a 73, one shot ahead of Rupert Zaragoza, who stumbled with a 78 after a decent 72 for a 150.
Starting out at the backside, Pagunsan birdied Nos. 12, 13 and 16 before ramming in another eagle from just about the same distance as he did Wednesday.
He fumbled with a bogey on the par-3 No. 4, his third in two days, but recovered with another pair of birdies on Nos. 6 and 7 for a 35-31 round.
With an eight-stroke lead, Pagunsan is expected to cruise to another win in what could be a big comeback from his final round fold-up in Bacolod where he bombed out and wound up third with a final round 73 after leading the ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic for the first two days.
The event is backed b MJ Carr Golf Management, Inc., Srixon, Callaway, Unilab, BDO, Titleist, Sharp, Custom Clubmakers, Mizuno, Empire Golf & Sports Shop, PinoyGolfer.com, Inquirer Golf, Omnisource International, A Round of Golf, Studio 23, Balls, and Dynamic Sports.(pr)
Showing his mastery of the tough Apo layout, Pagunsan duplicated his opening six-under par card as he continued to outclass a stellar field, including the homegrown bets, to virtually wrap up a fourth leg title just halfway through the 16-stage circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.
His 36-hole aggregate of 132 could well go down as the lowest in the three-year-old tour sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. with the ace shotmaker from Negros expected to go for a new scoring record and post a new winning mark in one season in today's final round.
Marvin Dumandan won three leg titles last year.
Ababa, who matched Pagunsan's 66 Wednesday despite a late tee off, started out early yesterday but came up with just one birdie after seven holes at the front before fumbling with a 9 on the par-4 No. 8 when he drove into the hazard, hit his third shot into a stymied lie and took a penalty.
He then dumped his approach shot into the greenside bunker and three-putted although he made two birdies in the last six holes to salvage a two-over 74 for second at four-under 140.
Michael Bibat, the former Asian Games bronze medalist still in search of a big win in the pro ranks, shot a two-under 70 for joint third with former national team mainstay Jerson Balasabas, who matched par 72, at 141 while Danny Zarate turned in a second 71 for a 142 in a tie with Elmer Saban and Elmer Salvador, who carded a 72 and 73, respectively.
Teener Miguel Tabuena birdied the last three holes at the front for a 69 as he joined Zarate, Saban and Salvador in fifth.
Except for Artemio Murakami, who missed the cut pegged at 152 with an awful 80 for a 155, the top guns made it to the top 40 plus ties but all stood too far behind Pagunsan with one round left in the 54-hole P1 million event.
Frankie Minoza fired a 71 but lay 11 shots back at 143 for joint ninth with Ramil Bisera, who had a 70, and Anthony Fernando, who shot a 70, while Angelo Que, runaway winner at ICTSI-Mt. Malarayat, bounced back from an opening 78 with a 71 and made it to the final round at 149.
Art Arbole remained the top amateur at 149 after a 73, one shot ahead of Rupert Zaragoza, who stumbled with a 78 after a decent 72 for a 150.
Starting out at the backside, Pagunsan birdied Nos. 12, 13 and 16 before ramming in another eagle from just about the same distance as he did Wednesday.
He fumbled with a bogey on the par-3 No. 4, his third in two days, but recovered with another pair of birdies on Nos. 6 and 7 for a 35-31 round.
With an eight-stroke lead, Pagunsan is expected to cruise to another win in what could be a big comeback from his final round fold-up in Bacolod where he bombed out and wound up third with a final round 73 after leading the ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic for the first two days.
The event is backed b MJ Carr Golf Management, Inc., Srixon, Callaway, Unilab, BDO, Titleist, Sharp, Custom Clubmakers, Mizuno, Empire Golf & Sports Shop, PinoyGolfer.com, Inquirer Golf, Omnisource International, A Round of Golf, Studio 23, Balls, and Dynamic Sports.(pr)
All set for MEDSA-Vice Mayor’s GK Cup
The stage is set for the Metro Davao Sports Association (MEDSA) – Vice Mayor’s Gk
Cup, an open golf tournament, on August 19 & 20, 2011 at the fairways of the Apo
Golf & Country Club, Bago Inigo in Davao City.
Organizing committee officers, Ed Bangayan and Sammy Uy of MEDSA jointly announced that
golfers from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao are expected to hit the fairways during
this event that shall be an 18 hole stableford individual competition.
Open to amateur male and female golfers, 24 years old and above with a maximum
handicap of 27, entry fee is pegged at P2,500.00 per player. Players shall all receive
an Ashworth travel bag, a free practice round from August 15 to 18, dinner and a
chance to win major or minor raffle prizes during the awarding ceremonies at the
Royal Mandaya Hotel.
Crystal trophies are at stake for the Over All Net and Gross Champion, Class (A, B, C
& D) Gross and Net Champions, Gross and Net 1st, 2nd and 3rd Runners-up.
The MEDSA-Vice Mayor’s GK Cup is held to raise funds benefiting Davao City’s
Gawad-Kalinga Home Development Program, an endeavor of our Vice-Mayor Rody
Duterte to provide the city’s homeless and poorest of the poor a basic need that is
shelter.
In the past, when Duterte was the mayor, such tournaments, then dubbed as the
MEDSA-Mayor’s GK Cup”, were also staged every August, which has generated
enough funds to build more than 70 houses at Davao City’s relocation site in
Tibungco. It has also made possible the construction of 5 duplex houses, a dining
hall, kitchen and laundry building at the Ray of Hope Village (women’s detention
center) at the Davao City Jail in Maa. Recently finished were 6 houses at the Mintal
relocation site for families who were rendered homeless during the biggest fire that
hit the city.
“Recently, our city experienced another major calamity with flash floods that have
found more families homeless, thus the Vice Mayor has intensified his drive to raise
more funds to respond to the increasing need for shelter”, Bangayan said.
“And we have started receiving generous support from several corporations
and individuals who have also been very helpful to Duterte’s cause in the past.”
Bangayan added.
This tournament is presented by Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Inc., a Davao born
petroleum company and supported by Davao Light and Power Corporation, Davao
City Water District, NCCC, Hexat Mining, Apo Golf & Country Club, Infinity, Tefasco,
The Royal Mandaya Hotel, Philippine Airlines, Chika-an and Micah Construction.
Registration is now open at Apo, Ranchos Palos Verdes and Davao City golf clubs.
For more information, call or text Ms Liloh Evangelista at 0917-362-0880 or email at
medsadavao@gmail.com.(pr)
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Davao's Ikeda, 3 others advance; Ardina, Agojo out
Chihiro Ikeda matched par 71 and safely made it to the match play phase of the US Women's Amateur Championship at the Rhode Island Country Club in Rhode Island Monday.
Cyna Rodriguez, Andie Unson and Sarah Ababa, another Dabawenya, also advanced to the knockout stage of the premier event but Dottie Ardina and Jayvie Agojo failed to make the 64-player cut with a pair of three-over 74s.
Ikeda, the reigning Philippine Ladies Open champion and spearhead of the ICTSI-backed squad, hit two birdies against the same number of bogeys to emerge the top Filipina finisher at joint 18th with Unson with a 143.
But the reigning Thailand, Johor and Royal Selangor Open champion drew Ababa as her first round opponent in match play Wednesday.
Ababa shot a second straight 73 for a 146.
Unson, who with Rodriguez turned in similar 70s in the first round of the 36-hole stroke play elims among 156 entries, slowed down with a 73 and set up a duel with Julie Yang.
Rodriguez, on the other hand, carded a 74 and wound up joint 27th. She faces Amy Anderson in the first round of the knockout stage.
Ji Hee Kim of Korea shot a one-under 70 to win the low medal honors with a 136, nipping New Zealand’s Lydia Ko, who sizzled with a 66, in the countback.
Ardina, meanwhile, failed to recover from a first round score of 77, finishing with a 151 after a 74, for a share of 80th, while Agojo ended up joint 69th after a 74 and a 150.(PR)
Cyna Rodriguez, Andie Unson and Sarah Ababa, another Dabawenya, also advanced to the knockout stage of the premier event but Dottie Ardina and Jayvie Agojo failed to make the 64-player cut with a pair of three-over 74s.
Ikeda, the reigning Philippine Ladies Open champion and spearhead of the ICTSI-backed squad, hit two birdies against the same number of bogeys to emerge the top Filipina finisher at joint 18th with Unson with a 143.
But the reigning Thailand, Johor and Royal Selangor Open champion drew Ababa as her first round opponent in match play Wednesday.
Ababa shot a second straight 73 for a 146.
Unson, who with Rodriguez turned in similar 70s in the first round of the 36-hole stroke play elims among 156 entries, slowed down with a 73 and set up a duel with Julie Yang.
Rodriguez, on the other hand, carded a 74 and wound up joint 27th. She faces Amy Anderson in the first round of the knockout stage.
Ji Hee Kim of Korea shot a one-under 70 to win the low medal honors with a 136, nipping New Zealand’s Lydia Ko, who sizzled with a 66, in the countback.
Ardina, meanwhile, failed to recover from a first round score of 77, finishing with a 151 after a 74, for a share of 80th, while Agojo ended up joint 69th after a 74 and a 150.(PR)
Ababa forges tie with Pagunsan at 66
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| BACOLOD CITY'S JUVIC PAGUNSAN |
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| DAVAO CITY'S JHONNEL ABABA |
DAVAO – Rookie pro Jhonnel Ababa defended the home turf with a gutsy 66, matching fancied Juvic Pagunsan’s six-under par card fashioned out in the morning session as they opened a three-stroke lead over Elmer Salvador and two others in the P1 million ICTSI Apo Golf Invitational at the Apo Golf and Country Club here, Wednesday.
Ababa, chasing a second straight leg crown after topping the ICTSI Iloilo Golf Challenge three weeks ago, rallied with four birdies at the front on his homeward trip to highlight a brilliant 32-34 round marred by an opening hole bogey on No. 10.
But the former national team mainstay shook off the early missed-green mishap with birdies on No. 12, 16 and 18 then sustained his attack on the course he calls home with birdies on Nos. 1, 3, 5 and 8.
“Except for No. 10, I had a pretty solid round. My iron game clicked, setting up short birdie putts,” said Ababa in Filipino.
It was indeed an inspiring start for Ababa who scored a breakthrough win on the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour with a playoff victory over fellow Davaoeno and reigning Order of Meric champion Jay Bayron in Iloilo.
Earlier, Pagunsan eagled the par-5 18th to cap a fiery backside stint of 30 for that 66 as he set in motion his bid for a record third straight Davao leg victory.
Pagunsan strung up four straight birdies from No. 13 to fire up an otherwise mediocre round then holed out with an eagle from eight feet to put himself in a familiar place on a course and against a stellar field he has mastered the last two years.
Pagunsan’s 66 matched his start in 2009 when he dominated the field from start to finish en route to a six-shot romp over Artemio Murakami and Jerome Delariarte.
Pagunsan, seeking a fourth leg victory after eight legs of the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour after topping the Northwoods, Orchard and Eastridge stops, also scored a four-stroke win over Ferdie Aunzo and Elmer Saban here last year to become the first back-to-back leg winner on the three-year-old tour sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.
Salvador and Echavez assumed the challengers' role with identical 69s in the same flight with the former Philippine Open champion hitting five birdies to negate a pair of missed-green bogeys and the latter missing seizing solo second at four-under with a bogey on the par-3 No. 4.
Local talents Tony Lascuna, Elmer Saban and Eddie Salvador also flashed their familiarity with the par-72 layout, carding identical 70s while Davaoenos Marvin Dumandan and Ferdie Aunzo, Michael Bibat and Danny Zarate turned in similar 71s.
Frankie Minoza, in a rare stint on the local circuit, matched par 72 for joint 13th with Dante Becierra, Arnold Villacencio and former world junior champion Ruperto Zaragoza while another Davaoeno and former national champion Anthony Fernando carded a 73 in a tie with teener Miguel Tabuena and Cassius Casas, also a homegrown bet.
Asian Tour veteran Mars Pucay failed to recover from a two-over card after nine holes and finished with a 75 then watched flightmate Pagunsan frolicked with a string of birdies from No. 13 and the day's lone eagle.
Pagunsan birdied the opening hole but fumbled with a one-over card with bogeys on Nos. 2 and 5. He birdied the sixth to get to even par and remained level until he knocked down a three-footer for birdie on the 13th.
He followed it up with a 10-footer on No. 14, rolled in an eight footer on the next before going four-under with a five-footer on the 16th.
But while Pagunsan played true to form, Angelo Que, winner of the ICTSI-Mt. Malarayat leg and one of the fancied bets here, shot an atrocious round of 78, including a birdie-less six-over 41 at the back where he teed off.
Que's misfortunes extended to the frontside as he bogeyed three of the first five holes but birdied two of the last four to salvage a 37 for a 78.
The event is backed b MJ Carr Golf Management, Inc., Srixon, Callaway, Unilab, BDO, Titleist, Sharp, Custom Clubmakers, Mizuno, Empire Golf & Sports Shop, PinoyGolfer.com, Inquirer Golf, Omnisource International, A Round of Golf, Studio 23, Balls, and Dynamic Sports.(pr)
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Cyna, Unson card 70s; Dabawenyas struggle
Cyna Rodriguez and Andie Unson shot identical one-under 70s to trail Korean Jihee Kim by four at the start of the 36-hole stroke play qualifier of the US Women’s Amateur Championship at the Rhode Island Country Club in Rhode Island Monday.
Rodriguez, the former Philippine Ladies Open champion, hit three birdies to negate a two-bogey mishap for a 35-35 round at the par-71 layout as she joined seven others in sixth place.
That includes ICTSI teammate Unson, the reigning Philippine Amateur Open champion, who missed closing in on Kim with a shaky finish, bogeying two of the last three holes at the back for a 33-37 card.
Dabawenya Chihiro Ikeda fought back from an awful start of 39 with back-to-back birdies from No. 15 as she salvaged a one-over 72 for a share of 27th place among 156 starters chasing 64 slots in the match play phase.
Sarah Ababa, another Dabawenya, made two birdies but fumbled with four bogeys as she dropped to joint 45th at 73, still within the cutoff line heading to the final round of the elims.
But Dottie Ardina, coming off a pair of runner-up finishes in the US Girls Championships and the Optimist International, groped for form with a 77 and in danger of missing the cut as she stood way below in joint 94th.
She failed to recover from a three-bogey string from No. 1, dropping four more strokes on Nos. 7, 8, 11 and 18 against a lone birdie on No. 10.
Jayvie Agojo, another former Phl Ladies Open champion, also sputtered with a 76 for a share of 84th, her round marred by six bogeys against one birdie.
“It’s a mixed result but I’m confident Dottie and Jayvie will be able to bounce back. They struggled with their putting, missing some close par putts,” said ICTSI team coach Bong Lopez.
Kim hit eight birdies in an awesome display of shotmaking, finishing with a five-under 66 for a two-shot lead over China’s Xi Yu Lin and Mariel Galdiano of Hawaii, who both had 68s, while Doris Chen of Florida and Pamela Pretswell of Scotland made identical 68s for fourth.(pr)
Rodriguez, the former Philippine Ladies Open champion, hit three birdies to negate a two-bogey mishap for a 35-35 round at the par-71 layout as she joined seven others in sixth place.
That includes ICTSI teammate Unson, the reigning Philippine Amateur Open champion, who missed closing in on Kim with a shaky finish, bogeying two of the last three holes at the back for a 33-37 card.
Dabawenya Chihiro Ikeda fought back from an awful start of 39 with back-to-back birdies from No. 15 as she salvaged a one-over 72 for a share of 27th place among 156 starters chasing 64 slots in the match play phase.
Sarah Ababa, another Dabawenya, made two birdies but fumbled with four bogeys as she dropped to joint 45th at 73, still within the cutoff line heading to the final round of the elims.
But Dottie Ardina, coming off a pair of runner-up finishes in the US Girls Championships and the Optimist International, groped for form with a 77 and in danger of missing the cut as she stood way below in joint 94th.
She failed to recover from a three-bogey string from No. 1, dropping four more strokes on Nos. 7, 8, 11 and 18 against a lone birdie on No. 10.
Jayvie Agojo, another former Phl Ladies Open champion, also sputtered with a 76 for a share of 84th, her round marred by six bogeys against one birdie.
“It’s a mixed result but I’m confident Dottie and Jayvie will be able to bounce back. They struggled with their putting, missing some close par putts,” said ICTSI team coach Bong Lopez.
Kim hit eight birdies in an awesome display of shotmaking, finishing with a five-under 66 for a two-shot lead over China’s Xi Yu Lin and Mariel Galdiano of Hawaii, who both had 68s, while Doris Chen of Florida and Pamela Pretswell of Scotland made identical 68s for fourth.(pr)
All-star ICTSI-Apo golf unfolds
Juvic Pagunsan begins his chase for a record third straight leg crown on the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour but a host of ace shotmakers will also be in pursuit of the ICTSI Apo Golf Invitational crown in what promises to be a wide-open battle in the P1 million event starting Wednesday, Aug. 10, at the Apo Golf and Country Club.
Unlike in the last two Apo legs which he dominated, Pagunsan braces for a tougher challenge this week with the likes of Angelo Que, Frankie Minoza and Miguel Tabuena joining the star-studded roster that includes homegrown bets Jay Bayron, Tony Lascuna, Ferdie Aunzo, Marvin Dumandan. Elmer Salvador, Cassius Casas and Jhonnel Ababa, winner of the last leg at ICTSI-Iloilo.
Robert Pactolerin, who ended a long title-drought by beating Lascuna on the fourth playoff hole in Bacolod, launched his title bid with a win in Tuesday’s pro-am as he powered his team composed of Agustino Docdocil, Lor Alaan and King Rivas to victory with a 51.
Mhark Fernando and partners Andrew Bautista, Ronnie Magsico and Oscar Garcia came in second with 53 while unheralded Randy Geralde led his team of Bong Cabang, Jun Singson and Benjie Leparto to third place with a 55.
Que, Minoza and Tabuena have skipped the last four legs of the circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. to campaign abroad and are all expected to figure in the fight for the top P200,000 purse on a tough course that requires accuracy and mental toughness.
“The fairways and greens are hard, but the key here would be on putting. I think a seven-under total will win,” said Dumandan, the winningest player last season with three victories but remains winless this year, in Filipino.
“We really have to step up, defend our turf and stop Juvic,” said Casas, who last won in ICTSI Del Monte last year, in Filipino. “But it won’t be easy, Apo is a tough course, it requires a solid all-around game to score here.”
That should make the first round worth watching with Pagunsan tipped to launch his three-peat bid the way he did in stringing back-to-back victories here the past two years.
The smooth-swinging Pagunsan used a near-flawless six-under par 66 in the first round to dominate the field and post a six-shot romp over Artemio Murakami and Jerome Delariarte in 2009 then scored a four-stroke win over Aunzo and Elmer Saban to become the first back-to-back leg winner on the three-year-old tour sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, inc.
Pagunsan, the current Order of Merit leader, is actually gunning for his fourth leg victory this year after reigning at Royal Northwoods, Orchard and Eastridge and is out to redeem himself from a final round meltdown at ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic last month.
Focus will also be on Que, who posted a runaway victory in the second leg at ICTSI-Mt. Malarayat but has opted to rest and campaign abroad after a so-so finish at ICTSI-Orchard Invitational, and Minoza, who last saw action at ICTSI-Orchard where he turned in a fourth place finish before resuming his campaign on the US Seniors Tour.
Tabuena is also raring to atone for a series of mediocre finishes abroad with the 16-year-old find hoping to come out strong early, build momentum and earn a crack at the crown in the 54-hole tournament, the eighth leg of the 16-stage circuit.
Pactolerin, who missed the cut in Iloilo, and Ababa, who nipped Jay Bayron in the first sudden death hole in Iloilo, are chasing their own dream of winning a second leg crown along with Rufino Bayron, Mhark Fernando, Anthony Fernando, Mars Pucay, Rey Pagunsan, Jerson Balasabas and Murakami.
The event is backed b MJ Carr Golf Management, Inc., Srixon, Callaway, Unilab, BDO, Titleist, Sharp, Custom Clubmakers, Mizuno, Empire Golf & Sports Shop, PinoyGolfer.com, Inquirer Golf, Omnisource International, A Round of Golf, Studio 23, Balls, and Dynamic Sports.(pr)
Unlike in the last two Apo legs which he dominated, Pagunsan braces for a tougher challenge this week with the likes of Angelo Que, Frankie Minoza and Miguel Tabuena joining the star-studded roster that includes homegrown bets Jay Bayron, Tony Lascuna, Ferdie Aunzo, Marvin Dumandan. Elmer Salvador, Cassius Casas and Jhonnel Ababa, winner of the last leg at ICTSI-Iloilo.
Robert Pactolerin, who ended a long title-drought by beating Lascuna on the fourth playoff hole in Bacolod, launched his title bid with a win in Tuesday’s pro-am as he powered his team composed of Agustino Docdocil, Lor Alaan and King Rivas to victory with a 51.
Mhark Fernando and partners Andrew Bautista, Ronnie Magsico and Oscar Garcia came in second with 53 while unheralded Randy Geralde led his team of Bong Cabang, Jun Singson and Benjie Leparto to third place with a 55.
Que, Minoza and Tabuena have skipped the last four legs of the circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. to campaign abroad and are all expected to figure in the fight for the top P200,000 purse on a tough course that requires accuracy and mental toughness.
“The fairways and greens are hard, but the key here would be on putting. I think a seven-under total will win,” said Dumandan, the winningest player last season with three victories but remains winless this year, in Filipino.
“We really have to step up, defend our turf and stop Juvic,” said Casas, who last won in ICTSI Del Monte last year, in Filipino. “But it won’t be easy, Apo is a tough course, it requires a solid all-around game to score here.”
That should make the first round worth watching with Pagunsan tipped to launch his three-peat bid the way he did in stringing back-to-back victories here the past two years.
The smooth-swinging Pagunsan used a near-flawless six-under par 66 in the first round to dominate the field and post a six-shot romp over Artemio Murakami and Jerome Delariarte in 2009 then scored a four-stroke win over Aunzo and Elmer Saban to become the first back-to-back leg winner on the three-year-old tour sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, inc.
Pagunsan, the current Order of Merit leader, is actually gunning for his fourth leg victory this year after reigning at Royal Northwoods, Orchard and Eastridge and is out to redeem himself from a final round meltdown at ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic last month.
Focus will also be on Que, who posted a runaway victory in the second leg at ICTSI-Mt. Malarayat but has opted to rest and campaign abroad after a so-so finish at ICTSI-Orchard Invitational, and Minoza, who last saw action at ICTSI-Orchard where he turned in a fourth place finish before resuming his campaign on the US Seniors Tour.
Tabuena is also raring to atone for a series of mediocre finishes abroad with the 16-year-old find hoping to come out strong early, build momentum and earn a crack at the crown in the 54-hole tournament, the eighth leg of the 16-stage circuit.
Pactolerin, who missed the cut in Iloilo, and Ababa, who nipped Jay Bayron in the first sudden death hole in Iloilo, are chasing their own dream of winning a second leg crown along with Rufino Bayron, Mhark Fernando, Anthony Fernando, Mars Pucay, Rey Pagunsan, Jerson Balasabas and Murakami.
The event is backed b MJ Carr Golf Management, Inc., Srixon, Callaway, Unilab, BDO, Titleist, Sharp, Custom Clubmakers, Mizuno, Empire Golf & Sports Shop, PinoyGolfer.com, Inquirer Golf, Omnisource International, A Round of Golf, Studio 23, Balls, and Dynamic Sports.(pr)
Monday, August 8, 2011
33 captains meet for PAL Ladies Interclub in Davao
PAL LADIES INTERCLUB.The captains of 33 teams, including six from abroad, gathered at Davao August 4 to get a briefing on the rules of the revived Philippine Airlines Ladies Interclub golf tournament slated on October 11-14 at the Rancho Palos Verdes Golf and Country Club in Buhangin, Davao City. After the 1st Team Captains meeting, the lady golfers immediately armed up to the course for a friendly round of 18 holes together with some of organizing committee officials from PAL. Left panel shows, from left, Felix Cruz Jr., adviser to the tournament executive committe; Dina May Flores, chairperson – PAL Ladies Interclub 2011; and Buddy Resurreccion, tournament director. The last PAL Ladies Interclub was played in 1988 in Cebu.(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Ardina, Davao's Ikeda upbeat of US Am bid
Dottie Ardina and Davao City native Chihiro Ikeda head the six-player ICTSI-Philippines roster vying in this year’s US Women’s Amateur Championship, hopeful of their chances against the world’s leading players in the event firing off Aug. 8 in Rhode Island.
The team, which also includes former Philippine Ladies Open champions Jayvie Agojo and Cyna Rodriguez, Andie Unson and Dabawenya Sarah Ababa, found the par-71 Rhode Island Country Club layout tough when it had its first practice round Saturday but remained upbeat two days before the event.
“The course has been set up like in a US Open event with thick roughs and sleek putting surface,” said ICTSI team coach Bong Lopez. “But the team is ready and in high spirits.”
The ICTSI-backed Filipinas spent the whole of Sunday at the range, hitting at varied distances.
“Driving will be the key, they must put their ball on the fairway to have any chance of reaching the green in regulation,” added Lopez.
No Filipina has ever come close to a title shot since former national team mainstay Dorothy Delasin won in 1999 at the Biltmore Forest Country Club in North Carolina with Rodriguez dropping out of the Last 16 stage in 2009.
A total of 156 players vie in the 36-hole stroke play competition with the top 64 advancing to the match play phase.
Ardina, the reigning Queen Sirikit Cup individual champion, has been seeded into the event with a runner-up finish in the recent US Girls Am. She also placed second in the Optimist International last month.
The rest earned their seats through qualifiers with Ikeda, the reigning Philippines Ladies Open champion, making it in York, Pennsylvania, Rodriguez and Agojo in Denver, Unson in California and Ababa in Hawaii.(pr)
The team, which also includes former Philippine Ladies Open champions Jayvie Agojo and Cyna Rodriguez, Andie Unson and Dabawenya Sarah Ababa, found the par-71 Rhode Island Country Club layout tough when it had its first practice round Saturday but remained upbeat two days before the event.
“The course has been set up like in a US Open event with thick roughs and sleek putting surface,” said ICTSI team coach Bong Lopez. “But the team is ready and in high spirits.”
The ICTSI-backed Filipinas spent the whole of Sunday at the range, hitting at varied distances.
“Driving will be the key, they must put their ball on the fairway to have any chance of reaching the green in regulation,” added Lopez.
No Filipina has ever come close to a title shot since former national team mainstay Dorothy Delasin won in 1999 at the Biltmore Forest Country Club in North Carolina with Rodriguez dropping out of the Last 16 stage in 2009.
A total of 156 players vie in the 36-hole stroke play competition with the top 64 advancing to the match play phase.
Ardina, the reigning Queen Sirikit Cup individual champion, has been seeded into the event with a runner-up finish in the recent US Girls Am. She also placed second in the Optimist International last month.
The rest earned their seats through qualifiers with Ikeda, the reigning Philippines Ladies Open champion, making it in York, Pennsylvania, Rodriguez and Agojo in Denver, Unson in California and Ababa in Hawaii.(pr)
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| Members of the ICTSI-Team Phl (from left) Andie Unson, Jayvie Agojo, Dottie Ardina, Cyna Rodriguez, Sarah Ababa and Chihiro Ikeda pose during a break in practice for the US Women’s Amateur Championship. |
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Juvic faces stiff test for 3-peat bid in Davao
Juvic Pagunsan braces for what could be his toughest challenge in pursuit of a record third straight leg crown on the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour as he banners the stellar cast in the ICTSI Apo Golf Invitational beginning Aug. 10 at the Apo layout in Davao City.
Pagunsan has actually set a norm by winning the Apo stage for the second straight time last year, becoming the first player to defend a leg title in the three-year-old circuit. In top form and oozing with confidence, he will try to further stretch it to three next week and make it more difficult for the others to match.
But out to foil his three-peat quest is a roster that includes the best in the land, each capable of matching the ace Negrense’s talent and skills over an equally tough course that is home to a slew of fancied players on the tour.
Pagunsan, however, showed it can be done when he bested homegrown bets Ferdie Aunzo and Elmer Saban in last year’s Apo edition of the circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. and sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc.
This time, however, the likes of Jay Bayron, Tony Lascuna, Marvin Dumandan and Elmer Salvador are all pumped-up to vie for the crown and defend their turf along with fellow Davaoenos Cassius Casas, Rufino Bayron and Jhonnel Ababa, who scored a breakthrough win in Iloilo last month.
Ababa humbled Jay Bayron on the first playoff hole to capture the ICTSI Iloilo Golf Challenge crown with the former mainstay of the national team hoping to sustain his winning form and reign at home.
But Pagunsan will not only have to contend with the local talents but also the likes of Angelo Que, Artemio Murakami, Mars Pucay, Mhark Fernando, Jun Bernis, youthful Miguel Tabuena and veteran Robert Pactolerin, who nipped Lascuna in a four-hole playoff to win the ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic also last month.
Frankie Minoza is also in the fold in a rare appearance on the local circuit with the veteran shotmaker and US Senior Tour campaigner also expected to figure in the title hunt in the 54-hole championship serving as the eighth leg of a 16-leg tour.
Meanwhile, Pagunsan, winner of three of the first seven stages of the circuit, and the other leading pros see action in the traditional pro-am tournament Tuesday along with officials and guests of the event’s chief backers.
They are the MJ Carr Golf Management, Inc., Srixon, Callaway, Unilab, BDO, Titleist, Sharp, Custom Clubmakers, Mizuno, Empire Golf & Sports Shop, PinoyGolfer.com, Inquirer Golf, Omnisource International, A Round of Golf, Studio 23, Balls, and Dynamic Sports.
From Davao, action shifts to Bukidnon on Aug. 17-19 for the ICTSI Del Monte Championship where Casas snatched the victory when Pagunsan and two others were disqualified on a final hole infraction.
Cebu will host the next leg on Aug. 31-Sept. 3 for the ICTSI Aboitiz Invitational, a 72-hole championship which also serves as a leg of the Asian Development Tour.(pr)
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Que, Minoza re-join ICTSI tour
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| ANGELO QUE WITH COLO VENTOSA. |
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| FRANKIE MINOZA |
Angelo Que and Frankie Minoza have confirmed participation in the P1 million ICTSI Apo Golf Invitational firing off at the Apo Golf and Country Club in Davao next week, ensuring another spirited battle for top honors among the country’s golfing elite and rising stars.
Playoffs marked the last two stagings of the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour with Robert Pactolerin ending a long slump with a victory over Tony Lascuna on the fourth extra hole in Bacolod and Jhonnel Ababa scoring a breakthrough with a surprise win over Jay Bayron on the first hole of their sudden death.
With Que and Minoza back in the hunt after skipping the last four legs and the rest of the country’s cream of the crop in the roster, the chase for the top P200,000 purse is expected to be fierce and the level of play tipped to go a notch higher when the event is held Aug. 10-12.
Que, the reigning back-to-back champion of The Country Club Invitational, dominated the field with a runaway victory in the second leg at ICTSI-Mt. Malarayat but has opted to rest and campaign abroad after a so-so finish at ICTSI-Orchard Invitational.
Minoza, on the other hand, last saw action at ICTSI-Orchard, turning in a fourth place finish before resuming his campaign on the US Seniors Tour.
But Que and Minoza are just two of a slew of favorites fancied to contend for the crown in the 54-hole event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. with Juvic Pagunsan headlining the star-studded field on a course he dominated the last two years.
Pagunsan, winner of three of the first seven legs of the circuit sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc., will be gunning for the ICTSI-Apo crown for the third straight year. He defended the title he won in 2009 by humbling homegrown bets Ferdie Aunzo and Elmer Saban last year.
Pactolerin and Ababa are also in the fold, each chasing their own dream of winning a second leg crown along with local stars Jay Bayron and brother Rufino, Tony Lascuna, Cassius Casas, Elmer Salvador, Mhark Fernando, Anthony Fernando and Marvin Dumandan.
Artemio Murakami is also in the roster together with Mars Pucay, the comebacking Rey Pagunsan, Jerson Balasabas and teen sensation Miguel Tabuena, who is out to redeem himself from a series of mediocre finishes abroad.
The event is backed b MJ Carr Golf Management, Inc., Srixon, Callaway, Unilab, BDO, Titleist, Sharp, Custom Clubmakers, Mizuno, Empire Golf & Sports Shop, PinoyGolfer.com, Inquirer Golf, Omnisource International, A Round of Golf, Studio 23, Balls, and Dynamic Sports.(pr)
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