CALATAGAN, Batangas – Jhonnel Ababa slowed down with a 69 but moved farther ahead by two, this time against fellow Dabawenyo and title-hungry Cassius Casas, who pressed his bid with a 67 in the second round of the ICTSI Calatagan Challenge at the Calatagan Golf and Country Club here Thursday.
Ababa, who fired a near-flawless 66 in seizing the early lead in windy Wednesday, bogeyed the par-3 No. 8 on his homeward trip for the second straight day and missed posting a more comfortable lead heading to the final round of the P1 million, 54-hole tournament.
But with a nine-under 135 aggregate, Ababa is well on target for a third leg victory on the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour although a slew of talented players, led by Casas and Marvin Dumandan, are out to foil his bid in this 14th leg of the 16-stage circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.
“I have to shoot a 66 or a 67 to get a crack at the crown. It’s tough since we are chasing a local boy,” said Casas, referring to Ababa, who, along with Mhark Fernando and a couple of others, have made the layout their base during their amateur days.
Casas leaned on a three-birdie string from No. 3 to fire the day’s best 67 and take the challenger’s role from joint seventh as he pooled a 137 to fan his hopes for a first tour win since snatching the ICTSI Del Monte crown last year.
“I need some luck to pull it off. There are just too many good players behind,” said Ababa, seeking a follow-up to his playoff victory over Jay Bayron at ICTSI Iloilo and a dominating win at ICTSI Riviera.
He actually had a good start at the back, hitting birdies on Nos. 12 and 13 but held back by a bogey on the 17th. He resumed his charge at the front with three birdies on Nos. 3, 6 and 7 but dropped another stroke on the 8th when he missed the 203-yard green with a 5-wood for the second straight time.
Dumandan, another player hungry for a victory, birdied three of the first four holes at the front and momentarily wrested the lead from Ababa. But he wavered midway through with missed green bogeys and needed to knock down birdies on Nos. 14 and 15 to save a 71 and a 138.
“I had a couple of errant shots and missed par-putts inside six feet,” rued Dumandan in Filipino. “But I hope to settle down with my game tomorrow (today) and get that elusive win.”
Jun Bernis, tied with Dumandan just one shot off Ababa at the start of the round, recovered from a woeful 39 at the front with three straight birdies from No. 13 for a 72 although he tumbled down to joint fourth with Joenard Rates at 139.
Rates shot the day’s lone bogey-free round of 70.
After an opening 70, Fernando threatened to dominate with a fiery 32 at the front but the former national champion and winner of the ICTSI Del Monte stop this year, fumbled with a double-bogey on No. 12 and dropped another stroke on the par-5 13th for a 39 and a 71. He had a 141.
Also at three-under total were Tony Lascuna and Ferdie Aunzo with the former failing to sustain a solid start of 34 with a closing 37 for a 71 and the latter fighting back from a 72 with a 69.
Bayron, the reigning Order of Merit champion, bounced back with a 71 after 77 to make the 40-player cut but stood too far behind at 148 to contend in the tournament sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc.
Zanie Boy Gialon primed up for another win after topping the Samsung Amateur Open last week as he shot a 70 for a 145 to lead ICTSI-The Country Club teammate Alex Nallos, who had a 72-146, in the battle for low amateur honors.
The event is backed by MJ Carr Golf Management, Inc., Srixon, Callaway, Unilab, Titleist, Sharp, Custom Clubmakers, Mizuno, PinoyGolfer.com, Inquirer Golf, A Round of Golf, Studio 23, Balls, and Dynamic Sports.(pr)
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Davao's Ababa sets pace with brilliant 66
CALATAGAN, Batangas - Davao's Jhonnel Ababa lived up to the hype and fired a six-under 66, setting in motion his title bid in the P1 million ICTSI Calatagan Challenge and a third leg victory on the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Circuit here Wednesday.
Flashing his familiarity with the Calatagan layout where he honed his talent and skills during his amateur days, Ababa went on a birdie-binge early, making five at the front against a bogey for a 32 and stayed at the helm throughout with two more birdies at the back.
But his sterling round netted him just one stroke as the other fancied bets also tamed the frontside with a slew of under-par scores despite windy condition, including Marvin Dumandan and Jun Bernis, who shot 33 and 34, respectively, for identical 67s while Gerald Rosales turned in perhaps his most strongest start in a long while – a three-under 69.
With Jerome Delariarte and Joenard Rates also making 69s and Mhark Fernando, Cassius Casas, Tony Lascuna and Robert Pactolerin firing similar 70s, the battle for the top P200,000 purse in the 54-hole event, the 14th leg of a 16-stage circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., could go down-to-the-wire.
But first, they need to stop Ababa.
The winner at ICTSI Iloilo and ICTSI Riviera legs showed his local knowledge of the course, birdying the four par-5s and added three more birdies that negated his lone bogey mishap at the par-3 No. 8 from an errant tee-shot.
“It’s windy out there and I just got a bit lucky,” said the soft-spoken Ababa in downplaying his brilliant round. “But it’s still a long way to go and there are too many good players around.”
They include the power-hitting Dumandan, who gunned down six birdies, three on each nine but missed joining Ababa at the helm with a bogey on No. 12 where he failed to return a six-footer.
“The course is good and I feel good of my chances. But I have to polish my putting to get the elusive win,” said Dumandan, a three-leg winner last year but remained winless heading to the last three stages of the circuit.
Jay Bayron, meanwhile, virtually kissed his Order of Merit title retention bid goodbye with an atrocious 77 for joint 38th in a field of 72 players.
Like Dumandan, Bernis made a faulty start at the back, dropping a stroke on No. 12. But the former national champion chasing his maiden pro win fought back with four birdies in the next six holes then birdied Nos. 6 and 7 to tie Dumandan in second.
Rosales, the former Philippine Open champion still in search of a big finish coming off an injury, bucked a double-bogey on No. 14 with six birdies against one more bogey for a 33-36 card, forcing a three-way tie for fourth.
Delariarte strung up nines of 35-34 while Rates, the least fancied bet among the big guns in the tournament sponsored by International Container Terminals Services, Inc., anchored his bid with a 33 at the front for the other 69.
Lascuna bogeyed No. 8 on his way home and dropped into a tie with Casas, who rallied with a 34 at the back, Pactolerin, who leaned on a three-birdie string from No. 11, for identical 70s.
Fernando, the other title favorite, had a mediocre three-birdie, one-bogey stint for a 70 on a course he also calls home.
Gene Bondoc was the other player who broke par with a 71 while Artemio Murakami overcame an awful 40 at the back with four straight birdies from No. 1 to salvage a 72.
Other even pars scorers were Dante Becierra, Ferdie Aunzo, Albin Engino, Rolando Marabe, Elmer Saban and Charles Hong.
Alex Nallos of ICTSI-The Country Club team carded a 74 to share the amateur lead with Joey Huerva, one stroke ahead of Samsung Am champion Zanie Boy Gialon, who struggled with a 75.
The event is backed by MJ Carr Golf Management, Inc., Srixon, Callaway, Unilab, Titleist, Sharp, Custom Clubmakers, Mizuno, PinoyGolfer.com, Inquirer Golf, A Round of Golf, Studio 23, Balls, and Dynamic Sports.(pr)
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Fierce battle seen as ICTSI Calatagan unfolds
CALATAGAN, Batangas - Jhonnel Ababa, Mhark Fernando and Tony Lascuna hope to make the most of their early morning tee-off and build the needed momentum in what is tipped to be a tightly fought showdown for the ICTSI Calatagan crown beginning Wednesday, Oct. 26 at the Calatagan Golf and Country Club here.
Ababa, chasing a third leg victory on the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour, drew a 6:50 a.m. start with Gene Bondoc and Carl Santos-Ocampo on No. 1, eager to get going on a course he, along with Fernando and a few others, are so familiar with, having made the rolling par-72 layout their base during their amateur days.
Fernando is also out to redeem himself from mediocre finishes in the last three legs of the circuit after scoring his maiden win at ICTSI Del Monte last August. Paired with Michael Bibat and Ruben Sasutil, he is set to start at 7 a.m. when playing condition is expected to be ideal.
But the former national champion, who missed the cut at the rich Aboitiz Invitational and finished outside of the top 10 at ICTSI Riviera and ICTSI Sherwood, said emphasis will be on the long game since the tight course punishes errant drives.
“I feel good, my condition is okay,” said Fernando in Filipino. “But the course is tough, you can’t get a good target if you hit a bad drive.”
Lascuna, perhaps the best player never to have won a leg since ICTSI revived the pro circuit in 2009, tees off ahead of Fernando at 6:50 a.m. in the company of Arnold Villacencio and Jun Bernis, upbeat of his chances in the P1 million event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.
"I need to a good start to contend (for the title). It has been a long winless spell for me," said Lascuna, who lost in a four-hole playoff to Robert Pactolerin at ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic last July. "Hopefully, I can finally win here."
But a host of others are also out to nail the victory in the 54-hole tournament worth P200,000, the third to the last event lined up in this year's 16-stage circuit sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc.
There is Jay Bayron, the only player in the 69-player field with an outside chance to foil Juvic Pagunsan's bid to annex the Order of Merit crown. Bayron, who snatched the OOM title from Pagunsan with a final leg victory at ICTSI Canlubang Golf Invitational last year, is running third in the OOM race but half-a-million peso behind Pagunsan in earnings.
But Bayron, the back-to-back Aboitiz Invitational winner, will have a lot of work do in the 10:20 a.m. flight with Pactolerin and Jerson Balasabas even as Cassius Casas, another title contender, is bunched with Ferdie Aunzo and Antonio Asistio II in the 10:30 a.m. flight on No. 1.
Marvin Dumandan, a three-leg winner last year but still winless this year, is also due for a win with the long-hitting Davaoeno shotmaker drawing a 10:20 a.m. flight on No. 10 with Richard Sinfuego and Dante Becierra.
Gerald Rosales and Artemio Murakami, both former Philippine Open champions, are also in the hunt with the former teeing off at 10:30 a.m. on No. 10 with Rufino Bayron and Benjie Magada and the latter playing in the group of Randy Garalde and Albin Engino at 10:40 a.m., also at the backside.
Zanie Boy Gialon, fresh from his title romp in the Samsung Amateur Open at Summit Point, heads the chase for the amateur crown in the event backed by MJ Carr Golf Management, Inc., Srixon, Callaway, Unilab, Titleist, Sharp, Custom Clubmakers, Mizuno, PinoyGolfer.com, Inquirer Golf, A Round of Golf, Studio 23, Balls, and Dynamic Sports.(pr)
Ababa, chasing a third leg victory on the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour, drew a 6:50 a.m. start with Gene Bondoc and Carl Santos-Ocampo on No. 1, eager to get going on a course he, along with Fernando and a few others, are so familiar with, having made the rolling par-72 layout their base during their amateur days.
Fernando is also out to redeem himself from mediocre finishes in the last three legs of the circuit after scoring his maiden win at ICTSI Del Monte last August. Paired with Michael Bibat and Ruben Sasutil, he is set to start at 7 a.m. when playing condition is expected to be ideal.
But the former national champion, who missed the cut at the rich Aboitiz Invitational and finished outside of the top 10 at ICTSI Riviera and ICTSI Sherwood, said emphasis will be on the long game since the tight course punishes errant drives.
“I feel good, my condition is okay,” said Fernando in Filipino. “But the course is tough, you can’t get a good target if you hit a bad drive.”
Lascuna, perhaps the best player never to have won a leg since ICTSI revived the pro circuit in 2009, tees off ahead of Fernando at 6:50 a.m. in the company of Arnold Villacencio and Jun Bernis, upbeat of his chances in the P1 million event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.
"I need to a good start to contend (for the title). It has been a long winless spell for me," said Lascuna, who lost in a four-hole playoff to Robert Pactolerin at ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic last July. "Hopefully, I can finally win here."
But a host of others are also out to nail the victory in the 54-hole tournament worth P200,000, the third to the last event lined up in this year's 16-stage circuit sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc.
There is Jay Bayron, the only player in the 69-player field with an outside chance to foil Juvic Pagunsan's bid to annex the Order of Merit crown. Bayron, who snatched the OOM title from Pagunsan with a final leg victory at ICTSI Canlubang Golf Invitational last year, is running third in the OOM race but half-a-million peso behind Pagunsan in earnings.
But Bayron, the back-to-back Aboitiz Invitational winner, will have a lot of work do in the 10:20 a.m. flight with Pactolerin and Jerson Balasabas even as Cassius Casas, another title contender, is bunched with Ferdie Aunzo and Antonio Asistio II in the 10:30 a.m. flight on No. 1.
Marvin Dumandan, a three-leg winner last year but still winless this year, is also due for a win with the long-hitting Davaoeno shotmaker drawing a 10:20 a.m. flight on No. 10 with Richard Sinfuego and Dante Becierra.
Gerald Rosales and Artemio Murakami, both former Philippine Open champions, are also in the hunt with the former teeing off at 10:30 a.m. on No. 10 with Rufino Bayron and Benjie Magada and the latter playing in the group of Randy Garalde and Albin Engino at 10:40 a.m., also at the backside.
Zanie Boy Gialon, fresh from his title romp in the Samsung Amateur Open at Summit Point, heads the chase for the amateur crown in the event backed by MJ Carr Golf Management, Inc., Srixon, Callaway, Unilab, Titleist, Sharp, Custom Clubmakers, Mizuno, PinoyGolfer.com, Inquirer Golf, A Round of Golf, Studio 23, Balls, and Dynamic Sports.(pr)
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Davao's Bayron bids to snatch second OOM plum
Dabawenyo Jay Bayron goes for the first of two victories he needs to retain the Order of Merit crown on the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour as he joins the hunt in the P1 million ICTSI Calatagan Challenge which reels off on Wednesday, Oct. 26 at Calatagan Golf and Country Club in Batangas.
With OOM frontrunner Juvic Pagunsan out for the rest of the season and second-running Elmer Salvador opting to compete in Malaysia this week, Bayron gets the chance to snatch the coveted OOM plum with a strong finish in the last three legs of the 16-leg circuit.
“It can be done but it will be tough,” said Bayron, who did the trick last year when he won the circuit’s final leg at ICTSI Canlubang Invitational to nip Pagunsan by P85,000 in total earnings for the OOM crown.
Boosted by his half-a-million prize in his successful title-retention bid at Aboitiz Invitational in Cebu last month, Bayron now has winnings of P949,494 to move up to No. 3 behind Pagunsan’s P1,474,604 and Salvador’s P949,494.
But it will take him no less than two victories and a runner-up finish in the last three legs to frustrate Pagunsan for the second straight time. From Calatagan, the Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.-organized circuit will go to Cangolf on Nov. 9-11 before winding up at Wack Wack on Nov. 23-25.
Meanwhile, Bayron leads the other top pros on Tuesday's traditional pro-am tournament which features amateur players who make up the roster of the tournament’s chief backers, including MJ Carr Golf Management, Inc., Srixon, Callaway, Unilab, Titleist, Sharp, Custom Clubmakers, Mizuno, PinoyGolfer.com, Inquirer Golf, A Round of Golf, Studio 23, Balls, and Dynamic Sports.
Fourth running Tony Lascuna (P786,219) is also in the 69-player starting field but the ace Davaoeno shotmaker, still in search of his first win on the tour, remains too far behind Pagunsan, Salvador and Bayron to contend for the OOM crown.
Others vying for top honors in the 54-hole tournament, sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc., are Artemio Murakami, Jhonnel Ababa, Mhark Fernando, Anthony Fernando, Antonio Asistio II, Ferdie Aunzo, Jerson Balasabas, Rufino Bayron, Dante Becierra, Jun Bernis,
Michael Bibat, Gene Bondoc, Cassius Casas, Marvin Dumandan, Rey Pagunsan, Robert Pactolerin, Gerald Rosales, Richard Sinfuego, Peter Villaber, Erwin Vinluan and Danny Zarate.(pr)
With OOM frontrunner Juvic Pagunsan out for the rest of the season and second-running Elmer Salvador opting to compete in Malaysia this week, Bayron gets the chance to snatch the coveted OOM plum with a strong finish in the last three legs of the 16-leg circuit.
“It can be done but it will be tough,” said Bayron, who did the trick last year when he won the circuit’s final leg at ICTSI Canlubang Invitational to nip Pagunsan by P85,000 in total earnings for the OOM crown.
Boosted by his half-a-million prize in his successful title-retention bid at Aboitiz Invitational in Cebu last month, Bayron now has winnings of P949,494 to move up to No. 3 behind Pagunsan’s P1,474,604 and Salvador’s P949,494.
But it will take him no less than two victories and a runner-up finish in the last three legs to frustrate Pagunsan for the second straight time. From Calatagan, the Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.-organized circuit will go to Cangolf on Nov. 9-11 before winding up at Wack Wack on Nov. 23-25.
Meanwhile, Bayron leads the other top pros on Tuesday's traditional pro-am tournament which features amateur players who make up the roster of the tournament’s chief backers, including MJ Carr Golf Management, Inc., Srixon, Callaway, Unilab, Titleist, Sharp, Custom Clubmakers, Mizuno, PinoyGolfer.com, Inquirer Golf, A Round of Golf, Studio 23, Balls, and Dynamic Sports.
Fourth running Tony Lascuna (P786,219) is also in the 69-player starting field but the ace Davaoeno shotmaker, still in search of his first win on the tour, remains too far behind Pagunsan, Salvador and Bayron to contend for the OOM crown.
Others vying for top honors in the 54-hole tournament, sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc., are Artemio Murakami, Jhonnel Ababa, Mhark Fernando, Anthony Fernando, Antonio Asistio II, Ferdie Aunzo, Jerson Balasabas, Rufino Bayron, Dante Becierra, Jun Bernis,
Michael Bibat, Gene Bondoc, Cassius Casas, Marvin Dumandan, Rey Pagunsan, Robert Pactolerin, Gerald Rosales, Richard Sinfuego, Peter Villaber, Erwin Vinluan and Danny Zarate.(pr)
Friday, October 21, 2011
Fernando, Ababa duel looms at ICTSI-Calatagan
Mhark Fernando and Dabawenyo Jhonnel Ababa hope to flaunt their local knowledge of the Calatagan layout as they lead the title chase in the P1 million ICTSI Calatagan Challenge unfolding Oct. 26 in Batangas.
Fernando, Ababa and the rest of the ICTSI-Cangolf squad have made the challenging par-72 course their base during the National Caddies Open days where they honed their talent and skills, giving them an edge in terms of familiarity in the upcoming event.
Fernando is seeking a follow-up to his breakthrough victory at ICTSI Del Monte Championship last August where he beat current Order of Merit leader Juvic Pagunsan by one in Bukidnon.
The former national champion, however, groped for form in the succeeding legs of the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour, missing the cut at Aboitiz Invitational and winding up outside of the top 10 at ICTSI Riviera and ICTSI Sherwood legs.
Ababa, on the other hand, is looking for his third win in the circuit after nipping Jay Bayron at ICTSI Iloilo Golf Challenge and dominating the field at ICTSI Riviera Classic last month.
Meanwhile, some of the leading pros in the 69-player starting field get their chance to test the layout in the traditional pro-am tournament on Oct. 25 where they will be paired with the amateur players making up the roster of the event’s chief backers.
They include MJ Carr Golf Management, Inc., Srixon, Callaway, Unilab, Titleist, Sharp, Custom Clubmakers, Mizuno, PinoyGolfer.com, Inquirer Golf, A Round of Golf, Studio 23, Balls, and Dynamic Sports.
Also vying for the top P200,000 purse in the 14th leg of the 16-stage circuit are Jay Bayron, Tony Lascuña, Cassius Casas, Artemio Murakami, Antonio Asistio II, Rufino Bayron, Marvin Dumandan, Jun Bernis, Anthony Fernando, Gerald Rosales, Rey Pagunsan, Robert Pactolerin, Elmer Saban and Carl Santos-Ocampo.
From Calatagan, the tour shifts to Canlubang for the ICTSI Canlubang Golf Invitational on Nov. 9-11 before winding up at Wack Wack for the ICTSI Wack Wack Championship on Nov. 23-25.
Like the ICTSI Orchard Golf Championship, the Wack Wack event will offer a total prize fund of P2.5 million tournament with the winner receiving P450,000.(pr)
Fernando, Ababa and the rest of the ICTSI-Cangolf squad have made the challenging par-72 course their base during the National Caddies Open days where they honed their talent and skills, giving them an edge in terms of familiarity in the upcoming event.
Fernando is seeking a follow-up to his breakthrough victory at ICTSI Del Monte Championship last August where he beat current Order of Merit leader Juvic Pagunsan by one in Bukidnon.
The former national champion, however, groped for form in the succeeding legs of the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour, missing the cut at Aboitiz Invitational and winding up outside of the top 10 at ICTSI Riviera and ICTSI Sherwood legs.
Ababa, on the other hand, is looking for his third win in the circuit after nipping Jay Bayron at ICTSI Iloilo Golf Challenge and dominating the field at ICTSI Riviera Classic last month.
Meanwhile, some of the leading pros in the 69-player starting field get their chance to test the layout in the traditional pro-am tournament on Oct. 25 where they will be paired with the amateur players making up the roster of the event’s chief backers.
They include MJ Carr Golf Management, Inc., Srixon, Callaway, Unilab, Titleist, Sharp, Custom Clubmakers, Mizuno, PinoyGolfer.com, Inquirer Golf, A Round of Golf, Studio 23, Balls, and Dynamic Sports.
Also vying for the top P200,000 purse in the 14th leg of the 16-stage circuit are Jay Bayron, Tony Lascuña, Cassius Casas, Artemio Murakami, Antonio Asistio II, Rufino Bayron, Marvin Dumandan, Jun Bernis, Anthony Fernando, Gerald Rosales, Rey Pagunsan, Robert Pactolerin, Elmer Saban and Carl Santos-Ocampo.
From Calatagan, the tour shifts to Canlubang for the ICTSI Canlubang Golf Invitational on Nov. 9-11 before winding up at Wack Wack for the ICTSI Wack Wack Championship on Nov. 23-25.
Like the ICTSI Orchard Golf Championship, the Wack Wack event will offer a total prize fund of P2.5 million tournament with the winner receiving P450,000.(pr)
Gialon shoots record 66; Ardina leads with 68
Zanie Boy Gialon set a new course record of six-under 66 at Summit Point as he seized a whopping six-stroke lead over Rupert Zaragosa and Alex Nallos while Dottie Ardina showed fine form and fired a four-under 68 to pace the ladies side of the Samsung Amateur Open in Lipa, Batangas, Friday.
Gialon sizzled with seven birdies against a lone bogey, including four in a flawless stint at the backside of the rolling layout as he dominated the Championship Division on a hot, humid day and shattered the previous best of 69 by Omar Dungca during the 2008 Summit Invitational.
More importantly, it gave the top ICTSI-The Country Club bet a big cushion over the fancied Zaragosa as they head to the final 18 holes of the annual event presented by Samsung Phils. which also features the cream of the ladies crop and future stars.
Zaragosa, the reigning juniors and national champion from ICTSI-Cangolf team, mixed three birdies with the same number of bogeys and settled for a 72 in a tie with Nallos, who made five birdies but fumbled with five bogeys, while Banny Abaño of Del Monte carded a 73 in a tie with Koreans Hwang Kang Youl and Kim Chang Yeon from Riviera.
Art Arbole, winner of last week’s Cangolf Am Open, wavered with two 37s and dropped into a tie with five others in seventh place while Magno Arancon, also of Del Monte, and J. Austria shot 75s and Reymon Jaraula skied to an 80.
Ardina, enjoying top form, hit five birdies, including three at the front and back-to-back from No. 13 as she overcame a missed-green bogey on No. 8 for a 69, moving 18 holes away from annexing her third straight crown after ruling the Malaysian Juniors and the Thailand Amateur Open the last three weeks.
She led ICTSI teammate Chihiro Ikeda by two with the latter fighting back from a double-bogey mishap on No. 6 with birdies on Nos. 3, 9, 14 and 16 for a 70. Lovelynn Guioguio made a 71 while Sarah Ababa matched par 72.
Ardina and Ikeda, along with alternate Jayvie Agojo, are using the event as part of their buildup for next month’s SEA Games in Jakarta where the ICTSI-backed Philippine team is the defending champion and Ikeda the reigning individual titlist.
Miya Legaspi, the 11-year-old wonder, turned in a three-over 75 marked by two birdies as the five-time US Kids Golf champion tied for fifth with Sunshine Baraquiel, Chanelle Avaricio and Daniella Uy.
Meanwhile, A. Alegre and H. Ahn carded identical 75s to lead Class A of the event sponsored by Airphil Express, Mizuno, Custom Clubmakers, Footjoy and Titliest by Empire Golf, Loro, Endress+Hauser, Sweet Photolicious, Torch Resto Bar, Bluemansion Enterprise, GlucosCare, Omnisource International, Business Mirror and Inquirer Golf.
J. Seo made a 73 and posted a four-stroke lead over Dae Kim in Class B while T. Ilagan shot an 86 for a one-shot lead over V. Plata in Class C. G. Aguado took the Class D lead with an 89 while G. Villacencio and D. Salvador paced the ladies Classes B and C with 79 and 98, respectively.(pr)
Gialon sizzled with seven birdies against a lone bogey, including four in a flawless stint at the backside of the rolling layout as he dominated the Championship Division on a hot, humid day and shattered the previous best of 69 by Omar Dungca during the 2008 Summit Invitational.
More importantly, it gave the top ICTSI-The Country Club bet a big cushion over the fancied Zaragosa as they head to the final 18 holes of the annual event presented by Samsung Phils. which also features the cream of the ladies crop and future stars.
Zaragosa, the reigning juniors and national champion from ICTSI-Cangolf team, mixed three birdies with the same number of bogeys and settled for a 72 in a tie with Nallos, who made five birdies but fumbled with five bogeys, while Banny Abaño of Del Monte carded a 73 in a tie with Koreans Hwang Kang Youl and Kim Chang Yeon from Riviera.
Art Arbole, winner of last week’s Cangolf Am Open, wavered with two 37s and dropped into a tie with five others in seventh place while Magno Arancon, also of Del Monte, and J. Austria shot 75s and Reymon Jaraula skied to an 80.
Ardina, enjoying top form, hit five birdies, including three at the front and back-to-back from No. 13 as she overcame a missed-green bogey on No. 8 for a 69, moving 18 holes away from annexing her third straight crown after ruling the Malaysian Juniors and the Thailand Amateur Open the last three weeks.
She led ICTSI teammate Chihiro Ikeda by two with the latter fighting back from a double-bogey mishap on No. 6 with birdies on Nos. 3, 9, 14 and 16 for a 70. Lovelynn Guioguio made a 71 while Sarah Ababa matched par 72.
Ardina and Ikeda, along with alternate Jayvie Agojo, are using the event as part of their buildup for next month’s SEA Games in Jakarta where the ICTSI-backed Philippine team is the defending champion and Ikeda the reigning individual titlist.
Miya Legaspi, the 11-year-old wonder, turned in a three-over 75 marked by two birdies as the five-time US Kids Golf champion tied for fifth with Sunshine Baraquiel, Chanelle Avaricio and Daniella Uy.
Meanwhile, A. Alegre and H. Ahn carded identical 75s to lead Class A of the event sponsored by Airphil Express, Mizuno, Custom Clubmakers, Footjoy and Titliest by Empire Golf, Loro, Endress+Hauser, Sweet Photolicious, Torch Resto Bar, Bluemansion Enterprise, GlucosCare, Omnisource International, Business Mirror and Inquirer Golf.
J. Seo made a 73 and posted a four-stroke lead over Dae Kim in Class B while T. Ilagan shot an 86 for a one-shot lead over V. Plata in Class C. G. Aguado took the Class D lead with an 89 while G. Villacencio and D. Salvador paced the ladies Classes B and C with 79 and 98, respectively.(pr)
Thursday, October 13, 2011
UPAA-Davao Tee-for-Two Golf Tournament on Saturday
The UP Alumni Association-Davao holds its "Tee-for-Two" golf tournament on Saturday, 15 October 2011 at the Apo Golf and Country Club, Bago Aplaya, Davao City. According to Committee Chairman Eugene T. Go, the tournament is open to alumni, friends and interested tournament players. Tournament beneficiaries are the UPAA-Davao Math Literacy Project and the UP Mindanao Oblation Plaza. The tournament is open to both male and female amateur golfers. Entrance fee is P2.500. Registration is at 5:30-6AM and Tee-Off Time will be at 6AM and 11AM. Dinner and Awarding will be at Garden Oases Resort at 6:30PM.
The Tournament Format will adopt the 18-Hole System 36 Best Ball Team Competition with two players to a team. Mulligan fee of P200.00 entitles the player to one mulligan per nine holes. Trophies will be awarded to each of the Gross Champions, Gross Runners-Up, Net Champions and Net Runners-Up for Classes A, B, and C. Special Prizes will be given for "Nearest the Pin" and "Hole in One", both in Hole no. 11. Mulligan not counted as hole-in-one. Major and Minor Raffle Prizes will be given away to the lucky winners during the Awards Dinner at Garden Oases Resort at 6:30 PM.
Sponsorship packages are available for Eagle sponsor, Birdie sponsor and Par sponsor. Interested parties may contact Ludwig Ruyeras at 221-0577 or 0917-632-3202.(pr)
The Tournament Format will adopt the 18-Hole System 36 Best Ball Team Competition with two players to a team. Mulligan fee of P200.00 entitles the player to one mulligan per nine holes. Trophies will be awarded to each of the Gross Champions, Gross Runners-Up, Net Champions and Net Runners-Up for Classes A, B, and C. Special Prizes will be given for "Nearest the Pin" and "Hole in One", both in Hole no. 11. Mulligan not counted as hole-in-one. Major and Minor Raffle Prizes will be given away to the lucky winners during the Awards Dinner at Garden Oases Resort at 6:30 PM.
Sponsorship packages are available for Eagle sponsor, Birdie sponsor and Par sponsor. Interested parties may contact Ludwig Ruyeras at 221-0577 or 0917-632-3202.(pr)
Monday, October 3, 2011
Davao's Salvador cruises to record 12-shot win
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| Elmer Salvador gets high five from his caddie after completing his 12-shot title romp in the P1 million ICTSI Sherwood Hills Classic. |
TRECE MARTIRES, Cavite – Dabawenyo Elmer Salvador annexed his first victory in the season in record fashion, firing a four-under 68 and routing a stellar field with a whopping 12-stroke romp over Mars Pucay and Artemio Murakami in the ICTSI Sherwood Hills Classic at the Sherwood Hills Golf and Country Club here.
Four ahead of fellow Dabawenyo Cassius Casas at the start of the final round, Salvador birdied the first three holes to pull away for good then coasted with three more birdies against two bogeys for a closing 32-36 card to post the most lopsided victory in the three-year circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.
Counting his earlier bogey-free rounds of 68 and 67, Salvador emerged as the only player to complete a run of under-par scores at one of the country’s toughest courses, winding up with an aggregate of 13-under 203.
“I’m happy to win again. I just thought that I needed a good start to put the pressure on them,” said Salvador, the 2009 Order of Merit champion who went on a scoring slump after topping the kickoff leg of last year’s circuit at Mt. Malarayat.
Salvador took the top purse of P200,000 and is expected to surge past Jay Bayron for the No. 2 spot in the OOM derby with four legs left in the 16-stage series sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. He can also unseat current OOM leader Juvic Pagunsan, who earlier registered the biggest margin of victory at four over Salvador in completing a three-peat at ICTSI Apo Golf Invitational but is out for the rest of the season.
Pucay, who figured in a four-way tie with Salvador, Tony Lascuna and Gene Bondoc with a 68 in the first round, bogeyed the last two holes and stumbled with a 73, dropping into a tie for second with Murakami at 215.
Murakami, who sparked hopes of a big comeback from an opening 75 by firing the tournament-best 66 Friday, never recovered from a three-bogey string from No. 3 and limped home with a 74. He split the combined P185,000 prize with Pucay.
Casas, who vowed to go all out to foil Salvador and fan his own bid for a first win in 14 months, bowed out early with a horrible 9 on the par-4 after dumping two balls into the water hazard, shooting himself in the foot instead with a 77. He ended up tied for fourth with Bondoc, who matched par 72, at 216. They shared the combined P90,000 purse.
Michael Bibat took solo sixth with a 217 after a 73 worth P35,000 while Richard Sinfuego carded a 74 to finish seventh at 219 worth P30,000.
Benjie Magada shot a 73 while Gerald Rosales and Danny Zarate carded a 74 and 76, respectively, to share eighth place at 220.
With his pursuers fumbling with early bogeys, Salvador actually didn’t need a good start to outclass the field.
With Casas tumbling down with that 9 and Murakami reeling with three straight bogeys, Pucay made a bogey on No. 2, leaving Salvador all alone on top and the rest scrounging for the crumbs of a second place finish.
Salvador, the first player in a long while to complete a bogey-free stint through 36 holes, stretched his amazing run with three straight birdies before making his first bogey on the 41st hole when he failed to return a seven-footer after missing the green.
But he quickly recovered with back-to-back birdies from No. 8 for a 32, took his second bogey on No. 13 after again missing the green but recovered the stroke with an eight-foot birdie putt on the next.
“I had a good feel in this game and it’s a nice feeling winning again. It could’ve been my second victory in three weeks had I won in Singapore,” said Salvador, referring to his six-hole playoff loss to Indian Himmat Rai in the Singapore Classic of the Asian Tour.
The 12th leg of the 16-stage circuit was backed by MJ Carr Golf Management, Inc., Srixon, Callaway, Unilab, BDO, Titleist, Sharp, Custom Clubmakers, Mizuno, PinoyGolfer.com, Inquirer Golf, Omnisource International, A Round of Golf, Studio 23, Balls, and Dynamic Sports.(pr)
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