BAGUIO CITY – An even par that is 36 points is not good enough.
Manila Southwoods continue to break records as the Fil Championship team went 12 under for 156 points to break the previous record set by its Am Championship as the lead increased to 24 with a day left in the Fil-Am Golf Invitational Tournament presented by San Miguel.
The oldest members of the Carmona, Cavite team had similar four under 65 for 40 points as they paced the team’s 156 point output which is six better than the 150 set by their Am counterparts three days ago at Camp John Hay.
Yuto Katsuragawa and Kristoffer Arevalo, the team’s oldest players at 17, came out with the best scores as Southwoods has amassed 424 points to lead the seven team field, even as their Am counterparts further increased their lead to 78 at the Baguio Country Club course.
Katsuragawa may have started with a pick up at the par 5 first hole, but he scored two eagles at the par 4 10th and the par 5 16th that complimented four birdies that were, however, marred by back to back bogeys at the 11th and 12th.
Individually, Katsuragawa has produced 113 points, a five under in stroke play after three rounds and a favorite to win the Group 1 title.
The other remnant of last year’s losing Southwoods team, Arevalo, had a near flawless game with his four birdies on holes 1, 2, 8 and 16.
Ira Alido had an eagle aided three under 66 for 39 points. The 15 year old eagled the par 5 17th before picking up on the 18th. He has scored birdies on holes 1, 6, 8 and 10 but a bogey on the seventh.
Aidric Chan made 37 and barely counted for the team which had 36 from Ryan Monsalve which did not count.
Joo Hyung Kim, on the other hand, paced the Am squad with a two over for 34 points at the shorter but trickier BCC course. Jose Emmanuel Sajulga, Liam Cully and Junjun Plana made 32, 31 and 30, in that order to count for the team’s 127 and 421 total that is 74 off Batangas Barakos.
“Just one of those days when the boys clicked. I could not even imagiune the type of scores we shot but I guess our continued practice and training is paying off,” said an unbelieving captain, Thirdy Escano.
“This is basically the result of our Junior Golf development program as envisioned by our Sports and Games Committee,” Escano added.
Luis Castro made 39, Richnell Albano had 38, while Carlo Villaroman and Carlo Gatmaytan chipped in 37 each as Royal Northwoods made 151 for its 400 tally and second spot.
Despite getting a two point deduction, Mizuno Ecoverde wrested the third spot from deposed champion San Miguel – Northern Cement after making 148 and a 382 total.
Justin Limjap paced the 2014 champion with 39, former pro Ray Sangil had 37, while Rodel Mangalubnan and Noel Langamin added 36 each to score for the team.
Aniceto Mandanas scored a three under for 39 points, Jelbert Gamolo had a 38 while Eddie Bagtas and GJ Katigbak added 32 each for San Miguel’s 141 and 380 total which is just one off Srixon Gorest Hills which made 149.
Former pro Jude Eustaquio had the tournament best of six under for 42 points to steal the limelight on a cold, rainy Friday afternoon. Eustaquio had eight birdies on the first, third, sixth, eighth, 10th, and back to back birdies also at the longest holes, the 16th and 17th.
But Eustaquio was slowed down by two bogeys at fourth and 15th.
Meanwhile, Don Petil had a flawless game and shot the only subpar score for a non-championship team and lead Team Surigao to a 12 point lead in Fil A at the Camp John Hay course, today, Dec. 9.
Petil had five birdies against three bogeys for a two under 67 for 38 points to give the team a 120 on day three and a 325 as their lead increased from three overnight.
Mon Capistrano had 29, while Edgardo Lopez and former Tourism secretary Ace Barbers added 28 and 25, respectively to count for the team. Silicon Valley had 110 points for 313 as Summit Point Elite gobbled three of its lead after the latter fired 113 for a 309.
In Am A, San Miguel – Northern Cement found the BCC course to their liking as they fired 115 for 335 and overtake a listing Philippine Navy for the lead.
The Navymen made only 98 points and is two down in what could be a two way battle leading to the last round. Camp John Hay shot 93 for their 300 and third spot but is only two up on Team Monterey.
Camp Aguinaldo closed with a 108 and 412 aggregate for a 37 point victory in Am A. Bladimir Arcillas led the Agui team with 30 points, Isiah Blue Recto made 28, while Ricky Velasco and Martin Jickian chipped in 25 and 23, respectively, to count for the team.
Subic Gas closed with a 93 and 375 for second place while Sultan Kudarat Miners holed out with 82 for 365 and third place.
After failing in the seniors bid, Douglas Puckett led Green Waters with 30 points as the team scored 116 points for a four day total of 419 and an 18 point victory in Fil B. Brother Gary and Robert Boado chipped in 29 a piece, while nephew John Paul added 28 to count for the team.
Baguio Country Club closed with 112 for 401 points, while Ventureslink Robros Jayworkx made 107 and 393 total to secure the second and third place, respectively.
TGIS Davao had 103 for a three day aggregate of 263 and an 11 shot lead on Eagle Masters II which had a 105 for 252 in Fil D. At third spot is Isabela Golf Club – Leaders which made 99 and 247.
Isabela Golf Club – Traders closed out with a 78 for 311 and held off a rampaging PhilCan Toronto which fired the flight best of 89 for 303 in Fil E. Summit Point slipped to third place after making 73 for 299.
Ultraflite Golf Club II slowed down with a 65 for a 278 aggregate and win the Am E title by 18 points. A distant second is PhilCan Toronto which rallied past Uragun after a 67 and 260 for second place. Uragun closed with a 59 and 256 for third.
In Am D, Batch 92 found BCC a tough course and made only 69 points for a flight best 234. But Ventureslink Robros Jayworkx ate eight points on Batch 92’s lead when it made 77 for 223.
Ventureslink actually overtook two teams for second spot with Team Surigao I and Fil-Am League of Golfers – Chicago made 67 and 62, respectively to be tied at third spot with identical 221.
By Dexter A. See