Philex Mining Corporation top man Eulalio Austin shot an 11 over for 25 points, the best in the flight, to lead Moto with 25 and an 80 total to take a nine-point lead in Seniors A as the 74th Januarius Fil-Am Invitational Golf Tournament kicked off at the Baguio Country Club and Camp John Hay golf courses Friday.
This as John Marasigan shot a day best 69 for 36 points at the CJH course for a solid 119 points and lead CJH Golf Team I to a 25-point lead in Seniors Am A.
Austin had solid performances from Nelson Roa, who finished last, with 22 markers in the Pal Stableford tournament that gives two points to pars, three for bogeys and one point for a bogey.
Ariel Mula had 17 and count, just a point off Emilio Alviar and 10 from Modesto Tolentino, the last two did not count.
Miguel Morada produced 24 points to power Dugong Bughaw to 71 and was leading the field before Roa arrived. Joseph Catapia and Manuel Macanaig backed him with 18 and 16 points, respectively, while Antonio Ilagan limped home with 13 and did not count.
Macquarrie Links Sydney Team 1 is three shots down with 68 after a 22 from Rommel Tello and a air of 16s from Alan Sia and Danilo Martinez.
Marasigan sunk two birdies at the par 4 holes 12 and 15 that were, however, nullified by two bogeys – par 4 8th and par 3 18th.
Bonifacio de Castro made 30, Charles Baguilat added 27 and Manny Solis chipped in 26 to count for theam, while contractor Arnel Peil did not count after a 19.
Herbert Donglasan closed out with a 29 and lead BIBAK NY/NJ Igolfers USA to 94, three off The Young Ones.
Former Seniors Fil Championship champion Nelson Eslao brought his A-game to Green Water Meadows as he scored 30 points to give the team to 92 and a 12 point advantage in Seniors Am C.
Larry Puckett and Joseph Laoyan chipped in identical 21 points, while Raul Lambino added 20 to count for the team. Fred Dacyon submitted 15 and did not count.
Project Lazarus had 23 points from James Sandoval for a first day tally of 80 for second spot and four off Abetamu.
Abraham Rojas had 23 as Team City of Vallejo I came out with 73 points and a point ahead of Bahia – LSGH80. Two points down is LMG – Golf Cabantatuan.
Ronaldo Fernando had 19 points to lead Team Master to 61 and a nine point advantage in Fil-E. Caliphil – Hawaii is at second with 52 and four off regular Korea Morning Calm.
Green Cayon fired a 66 and take a seven point advantage on Silicon Valley Golfers Link Team 2 which fired 59, just a point off Sandigan Golfers 2.
It’s all systems go for the pre-diamond jubilee of the longest running and biggest amateur golf tournament in the world last Friday as Manila Southwoods and Luisita Golf Club in another clash for the top honors in the seniors side. The two opened their bid yesterday and will play today, take a break tomorrow and return for the last two rounds on Tuesday.
With the ceremonial tee last Thursday, games got going for the and will run until December 14.
“It is on,” announced co-chair Jude Eustaquio of CJH and Anthony de Leon of BCC.
The Fil-Am golf “season” actually started last Tuesday with the practice rounds and captains meeting with the tournament proper commencing last Friday and will go on until December 4 for the seniors division and lower flights of the regular Fil-Am.
Meanwhile, Southwoods seeks a 10th straight title when the regular competition fires off on December 9 for the second week of action.
Expect Southwoods to be defending its title anew in the Fil and Am divisions of the Regular competitions.
Southwoods will parade a strong squad composed of Shin Suzuki, Miko Granada, Jet Hernandez, Enrique Dimayuga and Zeus Sara as it seeks a record 10th straight title In Regular Fil Championship.
Expect Januarius to be coming with its gun all ablaze with Masa Otake teaming up with Terrence Macatangay, Jet Mathay, former pro Ray Sangil and Ayon Sanchez.
Eastridge is also expected to parade a strong squad to give Southwoods a run for its money. Southwoods has been one of the strongest teams since it started fielding a team in 1997. Fil-Am Golf Media Release
