Foo outguns Carlos, pulls away by 6

CANLUBANG -- Gregory Foo outgunned Jobim Carlos in a day-long shootout at Cangolf’s north course Saturday, firing a second straight three-under 69 and pulling away by six strokes lead in the third round of the Philippine Amateur Open Golf Championship.

Tied with Carlos at the halfway mark of the 72-hole event, Foo rammed in four birdies against a lone bogey then watched the Filipino ace grope for form all day to move 18 holes away from turning what was expected to be a wide-open battle into a one-man show.

He had an eight-under 208, emerging the lone player to keep a run of under-par scores at the tough layout with the local bets forced to shoot in the low 60s to stop the reigning Singapore junior champion from running away with the country’s premier diadem.

Carlos hobbled with three bogeys in a birdie-less day, limping with a 75 after a 70 and a 69 and dropping to a share of second with former national champion Clyde Mondilla at 214.

Mondilla had a so-so 37 after nine holes in the other flight but rallied with three birdies in the last five holes, including Nos. 17-18 to stay in contention in the event  presented by Globe Telecom, Inc., Pancake House and Airphil Express.

Miko Alejandro stood two strokes farther back at 216 after a 71 while Choi Jae Seung struggled with a 74 and slid to 217.

Jerome Ng, the other player in the featured flight that included Foo, Carlos and Choi, failed to get his game going, reeling back with a double-bogey mishap at the par-5 17^th. He tumbled to joint sixth with Raymund Gonzales, who had a 70, at 218.

Rupert Zaragosa, whose solid 69 Friday sparked hopes of a big comeback by the reigning national and junior champion, failed to find his rhythm and wound up with a 73 for a 220, 12 strokes off the pace.

Meanwhile, Sarah Ababa likewise goes for the crown in the ladies side as she braces for a fiery charge from ICTSI teammates Lovelynn Guioguio, Dottie Ardina and Jayvie Agojo in today’s final round of the 54-hole tournament backed by Tanduay Distillers, Inc. as major sponsor and supported by Club Car, Pacsports, Golf Depot, Autohub and Callaway with Acacia Hotel as official hotel and Titleist as official ball.

Ababa shot a 72 Friday for a 147 as she grabbed a one-stroke lead over Guioguio, who dropped to 148 after a 76.

Ardina lay three strokes behind at 150 after 76 while Agojo pooled a 151 after a 73 in a tie with Princess Superal, who made a 76.

The winners in both divisions will also receive two Blackberry Bold cell phones from Globe while Airphil Express will award two roundtrip tickets to Singapore, according to the organizing National Golf Association of the Phils.

Foo went three-up after nines holes with birdies on Nos. 6 and 9 as Carlos bogeyed No. 2 and missed a couple of birdie putts at the front. The Singaporean dropped a stroke on No. 12 but recovered the stroke with a birdie on No. 14 before storming to a six-shot lead with a closing birdie.

Carlos, who also bogeyed No. 11, kept trying to keep Foo within sight but just couldn’t make the putts, dropping another stroke on No. 15.

Mondilla actually had a fiery start of two birdies but bogeyed No. 3 and made a double-bogey on the next then gave up another stroke on No. 9. But unlike Carlos, he kept on fighting, drilling a birdie-putt on No. 14 before holing out with a birdie-birdie effort.(pr)

Shootout looms as Phil Am Open unwraps

An early shootout among the country’s top shotmakers and foreign aces both in men’s and ladies divisions is expected as the chase for the Philippine Amateur Open Golf Championship crowns begins today (Thursday) at the north course of the Canlubang golf complex in Laguna.

Jobim Carlos, winner of last week’s NGAP National Doubles crown with Raymundo Gonzales, drew reigning Selangor Amateur champion Jerome Ng of Singapore in 9:08 a.m. flight on No. 1 in what promises to be an explosive start in the featured group that includes Cebu’s top bet Lloyd Go and Alabang’s Andres Saldana.

Rupert Zaragosa, the reigning national and junior champion, is paired with Singapore’s junior titlist Gregory Foo in the other key foursome that includes Korean Song Seung Ho of Riviera and Gonzales at 9:17 a.m., also on No. 1.

Carlos, Zaragosa and the other Cangolf bets hope to cash in on their local knowledge of the par-72 layout as they go all out for a strong start in the 72-hole championship presented by Globe Telecom, Inc., Pancake House and Airphil Express.

Focus will also be on the ladies side with defending champion Andie Unson leading the crack roster of the ICTSI-backed bets that includes Dottie Ardina, Jayvie Agojo, Sarah Ababa, Sunshine Baraquiel and Lovelynn Guioguio.

They, however, will have their hands full against a talent-laden foreign challenge headed by reigning Singapore national champion Amelia Yong and teammate Koh Sock Hwee, winner of the 2011 Warren Amateur Open title, and Joey Poh, who finished second to Yong in the Singapore National Open.

Also competing in the event, backed by Tanduay Distillers, Inc. as major sponsor and supported by Club Car, Pacsports, Golf Depot, Autohub and Callaway with Acacia Hotel as official hotel and Titleist as official ball, are Malaysians Vivienne Chin and Albright Chong, Indonesian Gianti Mahardika and a host of Koreans from Riviera, Calatagan, Manila Southwoods and Orchard.

Action in the 54-hole ladies division also starts today and tomorrow (Friday) with the final round slated Sunday, according to the organizing National Golf Association of the Phils.

Unson is paired with Yong and Seo in the 7:39 flight, guaranteeing an early battle royale among title contenders, Ardina is grouped with Chin and Scheo Soo Yeon in the 8:06 a.m. group, while Agojo drew Claire Amelia Legaspi and Koh in the 7:57 a.m. threesome – all on No. 1.

Other local bets fancied to contend for the ladies crown are Rainstar Roque, Chanelle Avaricio, Princess Superal, Ann Therese Sabater, Rachita Vasandani, Pauline del Rosario, Micah Shin, Apple Fudolin, Ping Jarales and veteran campaigner Eva Minoza.

Joining Carlos, Zaragosa and Gonzales in the hunt for the men’s title are Clyde Mondilla, John Kier Abdon, Art Arbole, Miggy Yee, Noel Langamin, Magno Arancon, Leonard Lofranco, Carlos Packing, Lawrence Celestino, Raymund Inigo, Joseph Uy, Junro Mamaril, Jama Reyes, Wolen Superal, Eugene Bunyi, Rogelio Roque, Miguel Shah, Sebastian Lorenzo, Santiago Lorenzo, Gino Brizuela, Justin Quiban, Miko Alejandro and Brent Sumampong.PR

Fierce battle seen in Phl Am Open

A wide-open battle for top honors in both the men’s and ladies divisions is expected when the Philippine Amateur Open Golf Championships is held Jan. 5-8 at the Canlubang Golf and Country Club in Laguna.

 

Wang Jeung Hun ran away with a six-shot victory over Jobim Carlos at the tough Riviera's Langer layout last year but the Korean teener faces a stiff challenge this time, not only from Carlos and the other local aces but also from a slew of foreign challengers.

 

Top players Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore have confirmed participation in the blue-ribbon event, kicking off a series of tournaments lined up by organizing National Golf Association of the Phils. this year in its continuing effort to provide members of the national pool top-level tournaments.

 

But the challenge will most likely come from Carlos, who is coming off a big victory in last week’s NGAP National Doubles Golf Championship at the AFP Golf Club where he and partner Raymundo Gonzales dominated the field via a seven-stroke victory.

 

Rupert Zaragosa, the reigning junior and national champion, former titlist Clyde Mondilla, John Kier Abdon, Art Arbole and Miggy Yee of the ICTSI-Canlubang squad, Cebu’s Lloyd Go and the crack squad from reigning PAL Interclub champion Del Monte, led by Noel Langamin, Magno Arancon and Leonard Lofranco, are also in the fold, ensuring a battle royale in the four-day stroke-play championship.

 

Others seeing action are jungolfers Carlos Packing and Lawrence Celestino of Eastridge, Forest Hills’ Raymund Inigo and Joseph Uy, Tagaytay Highlands’ Junro Mamaril, Jama Reyes of Alabang, Wolen Superal, Eugene Bunyi, Rogeio Roque, Miguel Shah of Alabang, Sebastian Lorenzo, Santiago Lorenzo, Gino Brizuela, Justin Quiban, Miko Alejandro and Brent Sumampong.

 

A down-to-the-wire battle is also seen in the ladies side with Andie Unson tipped to go up against her teammates in the ICTSI squad, headed by Dottie Ardina, Jayvie Agojo, Sarah Ababa and Lovelynn Guioguio.

 

They will be challenged by emerging stars Rainstar Roque and Claire Amelia Legaspi along with Chanelle Avaricio, Princess Superal, Ann Therese Sabater, Rachita Vasandani, Pauline del Rosario, Micah Shin, Apple Fudolin, Ping Jarales and veteran campaigner Eva Minoza.

 

Amelia Yong and Koh Soch Hwee, meanwhile, head the foreign challenge with the Singaporean shotmakers along with a couple of Malaysian bets planing in tomorrow (Tuesday) to familiarize themselves with the tough par-72 layout.(pr)

Murakami ends slump, posts 8-shot romp

Artemio Murakami (center) holds his trophy after dominating the field in the P1 million BDO Canlubang Golf Invitational, his first victory on the ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour at Cangolf's south course yesterday. With him are Cangolf general manager Luigi Yulo (left) and BDO marketing group head Paquito Vista.

CANLUBANG – Artemio Murakami snapped a year-long title drought with an imposing eight-shot victory in the P1 million BDO Canlubang Golf Invitational, outclassing a slew of club bets, including Richard Sinfuego and Jerson Balasabas, with a closing six-under 66 at Cangolf’s south course here, Friday.
Murakami whisked off a token challenge from Tomokazu Yoshinaga of Japan with a solid 33 at the front then strolled to the year’s second most lopsided victory with no one from among his pursuers able to put up a fight.
He wound up with a 14-under 202 total and won by eight over Sinfuego and Balasabas, who had 210s after a pair of 68s, for the second biggest margin of victory next to Elmer Salvador’s 12-shot win, over Murakami and Mars Pucay, at ICTSI Sherwood last September.
It was also his first win on the three-year-old ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour.
“I feel like, finally my dream is coming through,” said Murakami after annexing his first victory since topping the 
all-Filipino Philippine Open last December. “This is my first win on the PGT and my first since the Phl Open.”
Although the top P200,000 purse hardly boosted his ranking in the Order of Merit - he moved up to No. 10, the win should fire up the 28-year-old Fil-Japanese heading to the final leg of the 16-stage circuit, organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournament Inc., at Wack Wack on Nov. 23-25.
Murakami used a course-record eight-under 64 to launch his bid in the 54-hole tournament sponsored by BDO and though he slowed down with a 72 in the second round, he remained in firm control as the rest failed to press on their respective bids.
Yoshinaga, who started the final round just three shots behind Murakami, wilted under pressure and reeled back with a 40, finishing with a 76 and tumbling to joint seventh with Terence Macatangay, who had a 74, at 215.
Balasabas and Sinfuego, who flashed their local knowledge of the layout with 68 and 69 in the first round only to fumble with 74 and 73, respectively, in the next day, regained their form but their 68s were still overshadowed by Murakami’s 66. Each got P92,500.
Zanie Boy Gialon shot a 75 for a 223 to claim the low amateur honors, his third straight after topping the ICTSI Calatagan leg and the Samsung Amateur Open last month.
James Ryan Lam rallied with a 69 and snatched solo fourth at 213 worth P50,000 while Robert Pactolerin, who nipped Tony Lascuna in a four-hole playoff at ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic, and Elmer Saban shot similar 70s to share fifth place at 214. Each received P37,500.
Peter Villaber fired a 69 and tied Anthony Fernando and Arnold Villacencio, who both had 74s, at ninth at even par 216 in the 54-hole 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.
Mhark Fernando and Jhonnel Ababa, two of the fancied players earlier tipped to contend for the crown owing to their familiarity with the course they call home, failed to live up the hype. Fernando made a 75 and ended up in joint 15th at 218 while Ababa, winner of two of the last three legs of the circuit, hobbled with a 77 and wound up in 34th with a 224.(pr)

Murakami sets course record 64, leads by 3

BALASABAS

MURAKAMI

CANLUBANG – Artemio Murakami rode on a rare seven-birdie binge at the back to fire a course-record eight-under 64 and post a three-stroke lead over Anthony Fernando at the start of the P1 million BDO Canlubang Golf Invitational at Cangolf’s south course here, Wednesday.

Murakami bucked a late tee-time and frolicked with a superb backside stint on a hot, wind-less day, closing out with a circuit-best 29 highlighted by a stirring seven-birdie run from No. 11 that turned an otherwise mediocre stint into a spectacular round.

The 64 came as a big surprise for the power-hitting Fil-Japanese shotmaker, who scored two wins last year, including the all-Filipino Philippine Open, but remained winless in the season marred by a series of missed cut stints on the Asian Tour.

“Tsamba lang (It was pure luck),” said Murakami, whose career-best, however, was a 62 when he reigned at The Country Club Invitational in 2009.

But this one should fire up the 28-year-old Murakami, whose best finish in this year’s ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour was a joint runner-up effort at ICTSI Sherwood won by Elmer Salvador in record 10-shot fashion. On the Asian Tour, where he scored a breakthrough win in the 2007 Johor Open, he missed the cut seven times in nine appearances.

He birdied No. 9 to snap a run of pars then after missing a 10-footer for birdie on the 10th, he knocked down a four-footer on No. 11 and went on a spree, including a 15-yard putt on the par-3 13th, to establish a new course mark.

Fernando, coming off a joint runner-up finish in last Sunday’s Sabah Masters, birdied the first three holes at the front and added two more for an opening 31. But after scoring an eagle-2 on No. 12 with a 56-degree wedge shot from 120 yards that spun back and disappeared into the hole, the former national champion made two three-putt bogeys for a 36 and a 67.

For a while, Jerson Balasabas appeared headed to gaining first day honors in the 54-hole event sponsored by Banco de Oro as he made a 68 in an early morning flight while Richard Sinfuego put himself in early contention with a 69.

But the duo had to give way to Murakami and Fernando, who shared the lead at six-under in one stretch until Murakami sustained his fiery charge and Fernando wavered on his homeward trip.

However, two of the fancied bets, who like Balasabas and Sinfuego call the par-72 layout their home, fell way behind with over-par scores with Mhark Fernando fumbling with a 7 on the par-4 16th for a 74 and Jhonnel Ababa closing out with a 42 at the front for a 77.

Ababa, coming off a six-shot romp over Mhark Fernando and Tony Lascuna at ICTSI Calatagan two weeks ago, birdied Nos. 14 and 15 to negate a bogey on the 13th but dropped three strokes in the first six holes at the front before fumbling with a triple-bogey seven on No. 7 for a 42.

Fernando, another favorite in the event sponsored by BDO, also made a seven on a lost ball after hitting a tree on his approach on the par-4 No. 16.

Seven players turned in one-under 71s, including Rey Pagunsan, Elmer Saban, Gene Bondoc, Robert Pactolerin, Richard Abaring and unheralded Terence Macatangay and amateur Alex Nallos while Ferdie Aunzo, Rufino Bayron, Tomokazu Yoshinaga and Gary Sales all matched par 72.

The tournament 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)

FERNANDO

Canlubang members proudly hold championship trophy

The Canlubang members proudly hold the overall championship trophy they received at the awarding ceremony of the 64th PAL Seniors Interclub in Cagayan de Oro City.

Canlubang faces uphill climb

Several marquee names will be absent in the 64th Philippine Airlines Men’s Interclub when the annual event gets going next week in Cagayan de Oro City and Bukidnon.

But what it lacks in star appeal, the event makes up for more exciting battle in the championship division.

Asian Games silver medalist Miguel Tabuena and fellow national player Jerson Balasabas will not see action, as well as United States-based Jude Eustaquio and Marcel Puyat.

In fact, the only big names competing are reigning national champion Clyde Mondilla, Jobim Carlos, world junior titlist Rupert Saragoza and the ageless Tommy Manotoc.

Tabuena has begged off due to his studies while Balasabas is now preparing to turn pro.

Hardest hit is Canlubang which lost Mark Fernando and Jonnel Ababa to the pro ranks, leaving Carlos, Manotoc and  Zaragoza to carry the fight for the defending champions.

Winners of the last five Interclubs, the Sugar Barons face an uphill battle against three teams that have been given equal chances with the adoption of the handicapping system this year.

Canlubang and The Country Club finished 1-2 last year in Bacolod City with team averages of 69 and 67 points, respectively. Del Monte and Cebu Country Club were the next best teams with 59 apiece.

By putting a team cap of 62 points, the gap that separates Canlubang and TCC with the rest of the field has been reduced.

“This year’s Interclub will no longer be a dual meet,” said Interclub tournament director Buddy Resurreccion. “Any of the four teams can win this year.”

Resurreccion clarified that the cap applies only to the team and not the players.

“We’re not stopping them from fielding scratch players as long as they meet the requirements,” he said.

The regular Interclub will be held Feb. 23-26 at the El Pueblo Golf and Country Club in Cagayan de Oro and the Del Monte Golf Club in Bukidnon.

This year’s competition is backed by platinum sponsors Boeing, Airbus, Radio Mindanao Network, Business Mirror and Interactive Broadcast Media (DWWW). Major sponsors are People Asia, 105.1 Crossover, GE Aviation and Traversing the Orient.

Also lending support are corporate sponsor Manila Bulletin and Bombo Radyo Philippines, while minor sponsors are Lufthansa Technik Philippines, MasterCard and Century Park Hotel. Prize donors include Panasonic Avionics and Tanduay.

More detailed information on the tournament is available on the dedicated PAL Interclub webpage at www.philippineairlines.com/events/events.jsp.(pr)

Davao golfer wins ICTSI top award

Davao golfer wins ICTSI top award

MONDAY, 06 DECEMBER 2010 00:00

Davao’s Jay Bayron ended a three-year search for the big one when he bagged the Player of the Year honors of the just concluded ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour with a final leg victory at Canlubang recently.

The win capped the 31-year-old Bayron’s superb season where he turned in four runner-up finishes before humbling a star-studded field, including Frankie Minoza, Juvic Pagunsan and Dutch Guido Van der Velk, to finally win  the Aboitiz Invitational in Cebu last August.

Still, it took him one more victory at the ICTSI Canlubang Invitational to dislodge Pagunsan from the top of the heap and snatch tthe Order of Merit crown.

“It was a dream come true, becoming the year’s top player,” said Bayron, adding he gained inspiration from the birth of his first child early in the year.

“I really played inspired all season since we also waited for three years for our first child,” added Bayron, who won a bonus prize of P50,000 for winning the OOM crown plus a U-Boat watch worth P120,000.

The circuit, organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., also cited the tour’s chief backers, including Wellington Soong of Jaguar, Erramon Aboitiz of Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. and MJ Carr Golf Management.

The Orchard Golf and Country Club in Dasmarinas, Cavite was also named the circuit’s top course with former Hong Kong Am champion Dante Becierra winning the top amateur honors and the Ipod Tough 4G. [PR]

Bayron hit the P1 million mark at the close of the 13-stage circuit sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc., finishing with P1,010,317 and beating Pagunsan, a two-leg winner who wound up with P945,812.

Artemio Murakami ended up third with P787,810 followed by three-leg winner Marvin Dumandan (P771,973), ICTSI-Forest Hills champion Mars Pucay (P668,017), Tony Lascuna (P618,464), ICTSI-Malarayat winner Elmer Salvador (P610,844), Orchard leg champion Benjie Magada (P557,300), Ferdie Aunzo (P498,664) and Del Monte leg winner Cassius Casas (P486,000).(pr)

 

Cangolf Am listup ends today

Registration for the Canlubang Amateur Open Golf Championship ends today
(Friday, Oct. 8) with the field now close to reaching the 200-player mark with
five days left before the 11th staging of the annual event is fired off at
Cangolf’s north and south courses in Laguna.
Jhonnel Ababa, who edged former national champion Mhark Fernando and now-pro
Antonio Asistio II by one stroke to win last year’s crown, heads the
talent-laden roster that includes the other members of the national team and the
country’s leading and upcoming junior players.
The event, sponsored by The Turf Company and Pacsports Phils., is set Oct.
13-15.
Also seeing action in the event, backed by ICTSI, Dynamic Sports, Inc.,
Coca-Cola Bottlers, Inc., GolfWorx, Jose Ma. Hechanova, Rudy Project, Greenlink
Trading, Otsuka (Phils) Pharmaceutical, Inc., MayCar Foods, Inc., Merlo
Agricultural Corp., Mesaland Dev’t. Corp., Nature’s Spring, Pilipinas Golfbag
Mfg., San Miguel Brewery, Inc., Seamecor, Inc., and Whealth, Inc., are the
standouts in the ladies ranks, led by Sarah Ababa, Geleen Handog and the
comebacking former RP Ladies Open champion Jayvie Agojo.

For listup, contact contact Cangolf office at (049) 549-1363 or (049) 549-7201
(Fely Anillo or Darly Patalot) and at Makati office at (02) 897-6887 or (fax)
890-9321 (Maite Tangco or Carla Reyes).
Fees are pegged at P2,500 for non-member and P1,000 for club member, inclusive
of free practice round, raffle, giveaways and lunch on Oct. 15.

The event also features 36-hole competitions in Classes A (11 below), B
(12-20) and C (21 and above) and the ladies category (Open) to be played in the
last two days of the tournament.(pr)

Alabang, Cangolf top WGAP leg

Alabang and Canlubang finally clinched victories in Groups 1 and 2,

respectively, as they stepped up their bids for the overall championship in the

WGAP (Women's Golf Association of the Phils.) circuit’s sixth leg at Canlubang

Golf and Country Club in Laguna recently.



The Alabang golfers leaned on Lorna Tabuena and Rita Horan’s identical 38

points, Marilyn Reyes’ 36 and Finina Gorres’ 34 points to pool a 146 under the

Modified Stableford scoring system and post a six-point lead over Sta. Elena in

the premier class.



Sta. Elena, which humbled Alabang at the latter’s turf in the second leg of the

circuit organized by WGAP, turned in a 140 as Rio Co shot 38 points and Ayami

Morihiro, Hisayo Shimizu and Carmela Lee added 36, 34 and 32 points,

respectively.



Lucy Landicho fired 40 points to bag the individual honors but Canlubang settled

for third with a 139 as Lina de Guzman, Teresa Carpio and Ikuko Kito added 34,

33 and 32, respectively.



Villamor, winner at Valley in the kickoff leg, placed fourth with a 137 followed

by Tagaytay Highlands (133), Aguinaldo (124), Forest Hills (114), Valley Golf

and Riviera.



Canlubang, meanwhile, hacked out a one-point victory over Highlands, 144-143, in

their down-to-the-wire battle for the Group 2 crown with Tacing Laurel leading

the hosts’ charge with 43 points. Pamela Jimenez had 35 while Terry Parala and

Recy Barrientos added 34 and 32 points, respectively.



Highlands, winner of three previous legs, drew 37 points from Hedy See and

Veronica Veloso with the former winning the individual plum. Mabek Kawsek made

35 points while Marissa Vergara added 34 points.



Alabang came in third with a 125 followed by Forest Hills (119), Sta. Elena

(118) while Villamor and Riviera made similar 116s.



Aguinaldo continued to lord it over the Class C field as it picked up its fourth

win with a 153 total for a 17-point romp over Highlands, which had a 136.

Marie Guerrero shot 41 points while Edlyn Robas, Nitz Salivio and Leni Cabili

added 39, 38 and 35 points, respectively, for Aguinaldo while Highlands drew two

35s from Catherine Borja and Rosalind Wee and 34 and 32 points from Jessalyn Tan

and Ma. Lourdes Roxas, respectively.



Forest Hills placed third with a 133 followed by Sta. Elena (132), Alabang

(131), Villamor (116) and Canlubang (111) with Sta. Elena’s Ymir Maria Oliquino

bagging the individual title with 37 points.(pr)