|
EVEN
without Jay Bayron, undoubtedly the country’s top
amateur today, the Philippine men’s golf team is still
as formidable with the inclusion of Anthony Fernando as
the fourth man who will see action in the golf
competition of the 24th Southeast Asian Games in
Thailand
next week.
Bayron,
a member of the International Containers Terminal
Services Inc. (ICTSI) team, has already chosen to play
in the second qualifying leg of the Asian Tour’s
qualifying school, which coincides with the playing
dates of golf in the SEA Games.
 Bayron
was given a choice to select what’s best for him. In
this case, he felt that going professional and a chance
at the rewarding Asian Tour will serve him well on a
long-term basis, according to a reliable source.
Fernando, 23, as a replacement is no pushover and will
be counted on by the national team anytime.
The best
asset of Fernando is his explosiveness. At times, he
may shoot a horrendous 80 but there will be days when he
would shoot in the low 60s.
Fernando’s teammates are Mark Fernando, Jhonnel Ababa
and fellow ICTSI member Ferdinand Aunzo. Alternate
player is Dante Becierra.
In the
women’s side, National Golf Association of the
Philippines (NGAP) original invites—Dottie Ardina, Cyna
Marie Rodriguez and Jayvie Agojo—have all begged off
because of their heavy loads in school. Replacing them
are Anya Tanpinco, Chihiro Ikeda and Regina de Guzman.
Watercraft, Kool Swingers ahead in Fil-Am
BAGUIO
CITY—Watercraft Ventures and Guam Kool Swingers survived
the narrow, tree-lined fairways of Baguio Country Club
(BCC) and grabbed the early lead in the Fil Flight B and
C divisions at the start of the regular competition in
the annual 58th Fil-Am Invitational Golf tournament.
Wolf
Simanal waxed hot despite the cool winds that breezed
all day with a team-high 28 points in the par-61 BCC
layout. Peter Hargreaves came up with 27, Andrew
Joraslafsky contributed 25 and Kyle Butler added 18 for
the Watercraft’s 98-point output for the day in the Fil
Flight B.
Seven
points down with 91 points was Ultra Flite Golf Club,
which was paced by the 25 of August Cruz. Lucky Abellon
backed up with 24, Allan Sulaik 22 and Rey Talatala 20.
At third place with 88 was Fairgolf Club of Sydney.
Dugong
Bughaw was one shot off Fairgolf with 87 for fourth spot
while Club Marinduque Team Two was fifth with 83.
Guam
Kool Swings assembled the day’s best of 104 points as it
pulled away by eight over Team LA in the Fil Flight C
play. Noly Cariño paced the Hawaii-based squad with 29
points followed by Lito Lachica 28, Willy Valencia 25
and Victor Ovales 22.
Team LA
got 28 from Ernie Arambulo, 24 from Pol Yson, 23 from
Butch Bautista and 21 from Jun Sagun for a 96 total.
Circa 16 and Team Surigao One assembled identical 89s
for joint third. Veterans Golf was in solo fourth after
an 84.
Capitol
Hills (82), Thai Flyers (74), Lakewood (70), Victory
Liner (67) and Ram Masters (64) completed the top 10 in
Fil Flight B.
Over at
Camp John Hay Golf Club, Rural Bankers churned out 80
points that helped open up a two-point spread off Guam
Kool Swingers in the Am Flight B division.
Ed Bucag
toured the par-69 John Hay course with 22 points to
spearhead Rural Bankers’ campaign. Seve Oliva and Doy
Mercado supported him with 20 apiece while Jun Tan added
18.
The Kool
Swingers, with 78 points, remained in contention thanks
to Leo Ganacias’ 25, Leon Guerrero’s 23 and the 15s of
Dan Ganacias and Jerry Dominguez.
Japan’s
Okinawa Golf Club, which pooled in 75, was not far
behind
Guam. Christopher Howard tamed the course with 31 points, a
five-over in regulation. His teammates, though, failed
to give ample support as Ron Sharik carded 18, John
Wilson 14 and Ben Garcia 12.
In Am
Flight C division,
Mamala Bay
garnered 74 points, to show the way. Capitol Hills was
four points adrift while Baguio Country Club was another
point back.
Becierra, Ikeda wins complete RP sweep in
HK Am tiff
Dante
Becierra is on a roll.
Becierra,
winner of the Hong Kong Amateur Open, dominated the
field with precision tee shots and impeccable putting to
score a three-over-par 75 in the final day to win the
Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau-Asian Golf Monthly
International Amateur Open championship by 12 strokes
over local bet Alexi Van Damme.
The
21-year-old from
Davao earlier shot a two-over 74 and a two-under 70 in the
next day as he grabbed an eight-point spread after 36
holes held at the Gary Player-designed north course of
the HK Jockey Club.
In the
last round, he went for regulation pars and avoided any
mistakes. In the end, he secured his second title in
two months and, more importantly, a sweet sweep of Hong
Kong’s premier amateur tournaments.
Another
HK bet, Chung Kin Man, finished third with a 232 while
Rufino Bayron, the other Filipino in the fold, placed
fourth with a 234 followed by Hong Kong’s teenage star
Steven Lam who had a 236.
In
addition, Becierra earned a unique place in
Hong Kong’s golfing record books as he became the first player
to win both the Kau Sai Chau-Asian Golf Monthly
International Amateur Open and the Hong Kong Open
Amateur in the same year.
“It was
a very mature performance from a player who has
tremendous natural talent. I think he has the ability to
go on and make a name for himself in the game,” said Kau
Sai Chau head professional Paul Riley.
Only
last month, Becierra captured his maiden amateur crown
via the Hong Kong Amateur Open at
Clearwater
Bay
in October when he defeated Englishman Edward
Richardson
by three strokes.
Another
ICTSI golf team member Chihiro Ikeda, meanwhile,
completed the Philippines’ dominance of the tournament
as she ruled the ladies’ division in emphatic fashion.
Joint
third after a so-so opening of 79, Ikeda found her range
in the second round, shooting a two-under 70 to seize
control then closed out with a three-under par 69 en
route to a 10-shot win over teammate Anya Tanpinco with
a 218.
Demi Mak
carded a 75 to finish third with a 231 while Stephanie
Ho wound up fourth with a 234. |
