PGTI suspends erring Pagunsan

The Philippine Golf Tournaments, Inc., organizer of the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour, has suspended ace Juvic Pagunsan from participating for the remaining legs of the circuit this year for breach of the PGT guidelines on professional conduct.

Pagunsan walked out of the recent Aboitiz Invitational presented by ICTSI in Cebu after refusing to abide by the club’s house rules. He had previously escaped sanction after pulling out of the ICTSI-Forest Hills Invitational in the middle of his round without informing the PGTI last year.

This time, the PGTI has had enough and threw the book at the talented but recalcitrant shotmaker.

In suspending Pagunsan, Colo Ventosa, general manager of PGTI, cited Clause 10 of the PGT guidelines: “The PGT will maintain a strict ‘no tolerance’ policy on any behavior unbecoming of a professional. It is the desire of PGT to hold tournaments in a highly professional manner. Competitors participating in these tournaments shall conduct themselves in the highest standards of courtesy and sportsmanship, which they are bound to honor at all times whether on or off the golf course.”

Provisions of the clause covers professional conduct, including failure to comply with appropriate Etiquette, Misbehavior, Injurious Conduct and other similar acts and omissions.

Pagunsan has won four of the first 10 legs of this year’s 16-stage tour and has been the runaway leader in the Order of Merit ranking. But without him in the last six legs, a wide-open race for the coveted crown loomed starting with the ICTSI Riviera Classic beginning Wednesday (Sept. 14) at Riviera’s Langer course in Silang, Cavite.

“We have been deeply concerned about your actions and behavior in various occasions, most recent of which was during the practice round of the Aboitiz Invitational in Cebu last Aug. 29, 2011, where you willfully refused to abide by the club’s house rules and walked out of the premises. Despite our guidance as your manager and promoter, and repeated stern verbal warnings on your acts in the past, our advice and instructions have fallen on deaf ears,” Ventosa said.

Before meting out the suspension, the PGTI conducted a thorough investigation on the complaints of Pagunsan’s actions and behavior. ICTSI, Pagunsan’s corporate benefactor, agreed to the suspension.

“As a Professional Golfer sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI), you are expected to always conduct yourself in a professional manner as you are representing the ICTSI brand,” Ventosa said.

The suspension, however, will not apply to Pagunsan’s overseas campaigns. However, the PGTI reminded him that in tournaments abroad, it expects him to conduct himself in high esteem especially since he represents, not only PGTI and ICTSI, but also the country.

Jay Bayron is expected to gain on Pagunsan’s suspension as he moved up to second in the OOM race after topping the recent $65,000 million Aboitiz Invitational presented by ICTSI, the first Philippine event to be featured on the Asian Development Tour.

From Riviera, the tour goes to Sherwood Hills, also in Cavite, for the ICTSI Sherwood Hills Classic on Sept. 28-30, then to Villamor, which will host an ICTSI-PGT leg for the first time on Oct. 19-21, for the ICTSI Villamor Classic. The Calatagan layout in Batangas will also make its debut on the circuit when it stages the ICTSI Calatagan Challenge on Oct. 26-28, while Canlubang will host the penultimate leg on Nov. 9-11 for the ICTSI Canlubang Golf Invitational before the tour winds up at Wack Wack on Nov. 23-25 for the ICTSI Wack Wack Championship.(pr)

Aboitiz Invit’l unfolds; Juvic pulls out

Davao's Elmer Salvador

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)

Miguel Tabuena

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 or contact the organizing Bluemansion Enterprise and Services Co. at 211-5952 or 0917-8121242.(pr)

Juvic cruises to 4-shot win over Salvador

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

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)

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)

Ababa forges tie with Pagunsan at 66

BACOLOD CITY'S JUVIC PAGUNSAN

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)

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)

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)

Juvic blows top but keeps lead with 67, holds off steady Dabawenyo

TONY LASCUNA OF DAVAO

JUVIC PAGUNSAN OF BACOLOD

BACOLOD – Juvic Pagunsan dumped his caddie after seven holes at the back but held on to fire a three-under 67 and hold off a steady Dabawenyo Tony Lascuña as he kept a one-stroke lead heading into the final round of the ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic here Thursday.

Disgusted over Joebert Miraveles’ ”wrong allowance” on a par-putt bid from six feet after dumping his tee-shot into the bunker of the par-3 No. 16, Pagunsan asked his caddie to go and went on to atone for an uncharacteristic 37 with a typical Pagunsan windup – a five-under 30.

That fiery closing stint included a stirring four-birdie string from No. 4 where Pagunsan had to pull out his driver, an iron and his trusted putter in between the putting green and the tee-box of each adjacent holes at the par-70 Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club to save his energy.

“Tingnan nyo na lang sa scorecard (Just look at my scorecard),” a fuming Pagunsan blurted when asked by mediamen for the traditional post-round interview.

But his card revealed the brilliance in the man as Pagunsan, who opened his backside stint with a bogey on No. 11, flashed resiliency with a birdie on No. 1 before knocking down birdies inside five feet from No. 4 literally by his lonesome. Counting his bogey-free 66 in the first round, the three-leg winner after five stages of the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour remained on top at seven-under 133.

But Lascuna kept Pagunsan within sight at 134, turning in a second straight 67 and staying on track of his own bid to end a long title drought.

“I’m on target but I still struggled on the slow surface,” said Lascuna in Filipino. He missed three birdie chances inside feet but expressed confidence in finally snapping a long title drought on the circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. and sponsored by International Container Terminals Services, Inc.

His last win, interestingly, came at the expense of Pagunsan, whom he outlasted in a three-hole playoff in the 2008 Unity Cup tournament at Valley Golf Club.

“Di ko din talaga alam kung bakit nagalit na lang agad. Sinabihan na lang ako na magpahinga na,” said Miraveles,

Mhark Fernando, the former national amateur champion seeking a breakthrough win on the big league, matched Pagunsan’s 30 at the front as he shot one of the day’s best scores of 66 to join the chase for the top P200,000 purse in the P1 million event with a 136, four shots behind the leader.

The rest of the surviving 48-player field stood too far off the pace to pose as threats although veteran Robert Pactolerin flashed vintage form with a second 69 for fourth at 138.

Richard Sinfuego fired a 69 to tie Anthony Fernando (72) and Mars Pucay (71) at even 140 while Marvin Dumandan carded an even par 70 for a 141 and a share of eighth with Artemio Murakami (69), Gene Bondoc (72) and Jun Bernis, who rallied with the other 66.

Zanie Boy Gialon of ICTSI-The Country Club made a 72 for a 145 and remained the leading amateur at joint 24^th while 12 players made the cut at 148, including Arnold Villacencio (72), Herman Umadhay (74), Peter Miñoza (76), Paolo San Gabriel (71), Elmer Saban (73), Godofredo SInfuego (77), amateur Raymond Jaraula (75), Ramil Bisera (73), Neil Catalan (73) Albin Engino (73), Cookie La’O (78) and James Ryan Lam (78).

The event, the sixth leg of the 17-stage circuit, is 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)

Pagunsan sets pace with flawless 66

BACOLOD – Juvic Pagunsan churned out an expected fine round of bogey free, four-under 66 under ideal condition at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club then watched Tony Lascuna and Rufino Bayron fumble at the finish to seize the solo lead at the start of the P1 million ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic here Wednesday.

Pagunsan birdied four of the first 12 holes in impressive style and rescued pars from the bunkers three times, including at the par-5 18^thfrom 10 feet that capped a 33-33 round fashioned out in the privacy of a windless early morning flight.

“It’s a good start although I’m still getting the feel of my new irons,” said Pagunsan, who brandished a new set of Ping irons he used only last week when he finished joint 11^th in the ASEAN PGA Tour leg in Malaysia.

He also bucked an eye allergy that kept him out of the pro-am tournament Tuesday although Pagunsan’s hold of the early lead was threatened by at least two rivals, including Bayron, who birdied the first four holes only to falter with two bogeys in the last three holes for a 68.

Lascuna took the challenger’s role with a 67, his bid for a share of the lead was ruined with a three-putt bogey mishap at the par-3 No. 8 on his way home.

“Nakakapanibago ang greens, medyo mabagal,” rued Lascuna, who upstaged Pagunsan in Malaysia by finishing eighth.

Anthony Fernando, who led his team to the pro-am win, caught up with Bayron in third at 68 on a four-birdie, two-bogey stint while local bet Robert Pactolerin flashed his familiarity with the tight layout to fire a 69 in a tie with Gene Bondoc and Mars Pucay.

Short by the pros’ standards, the par-70 layout still held its ground and yielded just seven under par rounds while six others matched par as the rest struggled on its slow surface all day.

Rodrigo Cuello, another local talent, led the 70 scorers who included rookie Carl Santos-Ocampo, Joel Opaco, James Ryan Lam, Cookie La’O and Mhark Fernando.

Jessie Balasabas rallied with a 32 at the front to salvage a 71 to join the big bunch that includes the other fancied players in the event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. and sponsored by International Container Terminals Services, Inc.

Marvin Dumandan, winner of three legs last year, overcame a triple-bogey start as he drove out of bounds twice at the winding par-4 No. 1, a double bogey on No. 4 and two bogeys with six birdies, including three straight from No. 5.

Elmer Salvador is also in the mix with a 32-39 round along with Ferdie Aunzo, Richard Sinfuego and unfancied Rey Bolano, Ramonito Ortega, Rodulfo Aldimer, Godofredo Sinfuego and Ruben Sasutil.

The 54-hole event is 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)

Focus on Juvic as ICTSI Negros Classic unfolds

The ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic unwraps on Wednesday, July 13
with homegrown bet Juvic Pagunsan looming large in the P1 million event at the
Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club here but facing an army of challengers
out to stop his domination of the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour.
Pagunsan, who has racked up three victories in the first four legs of the
circuit and came in second to Thai Thanyakon Khrongpa in the ICTSI-Mt. Malarayat
Classic of the ASEAN PGA Tour last month, is again tipped to lead the chase for
the top P200,000 purse owing to his form and familiarity with the layout where
he reigned as the national amateur champion in 2005.
He skipped Tuesday’s traditional pro-am ruled by Anthony Fernando and amateur
partners Tess Mendell, Pinky Silva and Lynlee Rizzon, who combined for 52, and
opted to take a much needed rest instead after settling for joint 11th place
finish in the ASEAN PGA Tour leg in Malaysia last Sunday which he co-led in the
second round.
But Pagunsan drew an early morning tee-time at 7:30 a.m. on No. 1 with Jun
Bernis and amateur Chepe Dulay and is fancied to lead the attack on the par-70,
6197-yard layout that is short by the field’s standard especially in the absence
of the wind.
With the long game virtually eliminated in a field littered with long hitters,
emphasis will be on the iron game and putting with torrid scoring seen among the
fancied men on the tour.
Tony Lascuna, who emerged as the top Filipino finisher in Malaysia last week at
eighth place, predicts a winning 9-under card in the 54-hole tournament.
“I think 9- or 10-under will win here,” said Lascuna, who is coming into this
sixth leg of the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour in top shape and oozing with
confidence.
“We haven’t played here for a long time, so it’s quite unfamiliar to us. But
it’s relatively short, so emphasis would be on iron game and putting and anybody
can win here,” added Lascuna, who last won in 2007 in the Selangor Masters but
has two third place finish on the local circuit this season.

Lascuna took a late tee-time at 11:20 a.m. on No. 10 in the company of Danilo
delos Santos and amateur Brent Sumampong but is also expected to figure in early
pursuit of the lead along with the other big guns of the circuit organized by
Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.
They include Ferdie Aunzo, who won here in the 2008 Philippine Amateurs and is
in the first flight at 7 a.m. with Joel Opaco and Robert Malaga, the
long-hitting Artemio Murakami who is booked in the 11:10 a.m. flight on No. 1
with Rodulfo Aldimer and Peter Minoza, and Mars Pucay, Cassius Casas, Marvin
Dumandan, Ferdie Aunzo, Jun Bernis, Rufino Bayron, Jerson Balasabas and the two
other local talents in Robert Pactolerin and Rodrigo Cuello.
“It’s not actually an easy course since the greens are tough but given the
caliber of the field, a three-under card each round could win it,” said
Pactolerin.
The NOGCC is actually hosting a tournament of the local circuit for the first
time since 2002 when Angelo Que nipped Cesar Ababa by one with a closing
four-under 66 in the now defunct First Gentleman Golf Circuit.

Que and Ababa, however, won’t be around this week, but Elmer Salvador and
Richard Sinfuego, who finished joint third in 2002, are in the fold along with
Mars Pucay, Cassius Casas, Marvin Dumandan, Ferdie Aunzo, Jun Bernis, Rufino
Bayron, Jerson Balasabas and another local talent in Rodrigo Cuello.
“I can’t remember anything on this course although I know you have to hit it
straight here and play a superb short game to score here,” said Salvador in
Filipino. The Order of Merit champion in the inaugural staging of the
ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour in 2009 is also coming off a joint 20th place finish
with Murakami in Malaysia.
Meanwhile, the big-hitting Orlan Sumcad and teammates Isidro Villarosa, Ivan
Villarosa and Jason Villarosa, also made a 52 but lost in the countback and
settled for second in the pro-am while Aunzo and partners Chole Ramos, Boy
Gamboa and Angel Garriel took third place with 53.
The event, the seventh leg of the 17-stage circuit, is 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)

Thai humbles Bacolod, Davao aces

Thai ace Thanyakon Khrongpha bested the cream of the country’s pro golf by winning the $50,000 ICTSI-Mt. Malarayat Championship, closing out with an eagle-spiked five-under 67 for a three-shot victory over Juvic Pagunsan of Bacolod at the Mt. Malarayat Golf and Country Club in Lipa City, Batangas, Saturday.

Not even a final hole bogey could stop the 21-year-old Khrongpha from humbling the local field and pocketing the hotly-disputed crown worth $8,126 as he built enough cushion with a scorching five-under 31 at the front to rule the rain-interrupted 72-hole championship.

He wound up with a 15-under 273, launching his fightback from the middle of the pack with a fiery six-under 66 in the weather-delayed third round to tie Tony Lascuna of Davao at the helm early Saturday then kept the momentum with that 31 that featured three straight birdies from No. 5 and highlighted by an eagle-3 on the par-5 ninth.

That blazing start put Khrongpha five shots clear off Lascuna, the solo second round leader, who struggled with his putting early on while settling for an even 36 after nine holes. Lascuna birdied two of the first five holes coming home but ran out of holes in his comeback bid and like Khrongpha, bogeyed the final hole for a 71 to yield the runner-up honors to Pagunsan.

Juvic Pagunsan, who with teener Miguel Tabuena bounced back to within one off Khrongpha and Lascuna at the start of the final round of the event sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc., found his win streak snap despite a three-under 69, ending up three strokes behind Khrongpha with a 12-under 276 worth $5,616.

Lascuna, 40, wound up with a 277 for third worth $3,151 while the 16-year-old Tabuena finished solo fourth at 279 after a 72 marred by three straight bogeys from No. 14. He took home $2,551.

Eight other local bets followed suit, none able to scuttle Khrongpha’s title bid with Rufino Bayron, another Dabawenyo, placing fifth with a 280 after a 68 worth $2,051.

Jay Bayron, the reigning Order of Merit champion on the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour and brother of Rufino, strung up four birdies in the first five holes at the back, including three straight from No. 10, but bogeyed two of the last four for a 70. He wound up sixth with a 281 and received $1,801.

Khrongpha’s victory also kept Thailand’s domination of 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., which Chawalit Plaphol ruled last year with an eight-stroke romp of Pagunsan.

Dabawenyo Elmer Salvador and Jerson Balasabas finished joint seventh with 282 after a 69 and 70, respectively, while Jhonnel Ababa bogeyed four of the first five holes for a 74, ending up tied for ninth with 2007 champion Mars Pucay, who eagled the par-5 17^th but wound up with an even par 72, at 283.

“I played really well. My only mistake was on the 16th where I hit my tee shot out of bounds,” said Thanyakon after turning in a 66 in the third round.

The Thai golfer from Konkan, who nipped Jay Bayron in sudden death to win the Kariza Indonesia Championship of the ASEAN PGA Tour last year, turned pro at the beginning of last year after a stellar season on the amateur circuit winning the Malaysian and Thailand Amateur Championships.

While Pagunsan, Lascuna and Tabuena gutted it out in the featured local flight, Khrongpha frolicked in a group that included compatriot Panuwat Muenlek and Balasabas, hitting three straight birdies from No. 5 before capping his romp with an eagle on No. 9.

With Pagunsan and Tabuena making identical 34s and Lascuna matching par 36 at the turn, Khrongpha found himself four clear off Pagunsan and Tabuena and five ahead of Lascuna, playing virtually pressure at the back where he dropped a stroke on the par-3 11^th but hit another birdie on No. 13 before holing out with a birdie-bogey finish for the win.[PR]

Juvic, Tabuena share lead with 68s

PAGUNSAN

BONDOC

BAYRON

Juvic Pagunsan lived up to the hype, firing a stirring bogey-free 68 in wet conditions to take control of the field in the rain-suspended first round of the $50,000 ICTSI-Mt. Malarayat Championship at the Mt. Malarayat Golf and Country Club in Lipa City, Batangas, Thursday.
Miguel Tabuena also charged home with a four-under card to tie the fancied Pagunsan at the helm, one stroke clear of Thai Panuwat Muenlek, in a solid start for the 16-year-old find seeking his first pro win on his rookie year.
Pagunsan holed out with a birdie on the par-5 ninth to slip past Thai
Panuwat Muenlek, who momentarily seized the solo lead with a three-under 69 until the two Filipino bets came through with their 68s to move on top.
Tabuena used a fiery frontside stint to put himself in early contention, birdying four of the last five holes for a 32. He slowed down a bit at the back, dropping a stroke on the par-5 14th but recovering the stroke with a birdie on No. 16.
Veteran campaigner Tony Lascuna birdied the par-5 17th to tie Jerson Balasabas, the former amateur hotshot, Mars Pucay, Gene Bondoc, the pro-am winner, and Thais Khrongpha Thanyakon, Prathummanee Atthaphon and Apichart Papitak and Dutch Guido Van Der Valk at two-under 70 in preferred lies rule while unfancied Erwin Arcillas turned in his best start in years – a 71 that tied him with another Thai bet Chaisri Borworn.
Joe Rates, Arnold Villacencio and Elmer Saban matched par 72s for joint sixth with Supravee Phatam and Ekkalak Waisayangkul of Thailand in the event sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc.
Inclement weather forced the suspension of the first round of the second leg of the ASEAN Golf Tour Wednesday with the starting 90-player field resuming play at 6:30 a.m. yesterday. The first half were to finish its second round late yesterday and the rest to resume early today before the third round action.
Marvin Dumandan closed out with back-to-back birdies at the front to salvage a one-over 73 in a tie with Robert Pactolerin, Jhonnel Ababa, Anthony Fernando and Thai Pornpong Phatlum while another shot farther back at 73 were Randy Garalde, Ernie Rellon, Mhark Fernando, Ferdie Aunzo, Antolin Fernand and Michael Bibat.
Elmer Salvador, winner of the Philippine Open here in 2009, sputtered with a 75 despite a closing eagle on No. 9 while Jay Bayron, who had three runner-up finishes in last year’s ASEAN circuit, wavered in his homeward trip at the front and wound up with a 39 for a 76.
Pagunsan, however, made sure things wound turn out right for the streaking Filipino shotmaker, who swept the last two legs of the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour.
He birdied Nos. 16 and 18 at resumption of play then made a couple of par-saving putts at the front before hitting another pair of birdies on Nos. 7 and 9 to preserve the lone bogey-free round in the tournament 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