BAGUIO CITY December 12 – Jude Eustaquio shot an eagle aided 6 under 63 for 42 points as he led Forest Hills to 153 points and a seven shot lead over defending champion Manila Southwoods at the start of the Fil Championship competition in the 68th Department of Tourism Fil-Am Invitational Golf Tournament at the Camp John Hay golf course yesterday (Dec. 12).
It was a good start for the one time champion with an eagle that started what was a fine day for the Forest Hills golf manager who eagled the first hole, when he putted from six feet after hitting the green with his second shot.
“What better way to start a day than with an eagle,” said Eustaquio as he birdied six more holes – 5th, 6th, 8th, 11th, 16th and 17th, and saved par at the 18th as the rain started pelting.
Eustaquio was slowed down with a pair of bogeys at the 9th and 14th but still considered his game one of his best.
With the eagle aided four under for 40 of Inigo Raymundo, the eagle aided one under 37 of Dan Cruz and 34 of Rocky Co, the team enjoys a seven shot lead on Southwoods.
“It was a great day for us, but we have to play even better because you cannot win the tournament in the first day. There are three more days,” Eustaquio said.
“It was fun, and we did not expect to have this fireqork from this team,” he added.
Luigi Paolo Wong came home to his home course as he carded a four under 40 to lead Southwoods 146 splurge. Joo Hyng Kim made a one under 37, Carl Corpus submitted a one over 35 and Junjun Plana had a 34 to count for the team which made 146.
Royal Northwoods leaned on Richard Joson and Luis Castro who shot 34 points, Carlo Villaroman made a 33, while Nik Gatmaytan counted with a 30 for the team’s 131 points and third spot.
Mizuno X-1R had 32 from Justin Tambunting, Brixton Aw and King Stehmeier, while Rodel Mangalubnan added 31 to count for the team which made 127 and fourth spot.
Halfway into the third flight, the rains started pelting and it became a steady drizzle just as Eustaquio, Plana, Mangalubnan and Raymund Sangil holed out at 4:35.
It became an outpour at 5 PM that officials stopped games and resumed it 10 minutes later when it settled to a strong drizzle.
Lanz Uy, meanwhile, scored 30 points to lead Southwoods to 111 and an 11 shot lead over Razons of Guagua in Am Championship at the Baguio Country Club course.
Kristoffer Arevalo and Jama Reyes scored a paiur of 28s, while Chepe Dulay and GK Katigbak made a pair of 25, the latter’s score did not count in the five to play four to count tournament backed by San Miguel Corporation.
Damas Wong led Razons with 30 for the team’s 014 and four shot lead on third ranked Forest Hills which shot an opening round of 100.
Team Time Cargo was supposed to be at third spot with 103 points but was mete with a four point deduction due to penalty of one of the players, thus its opening 99 points.
The Pucketts led Greenwater Golfers anew to 109 points as the California based residents of one of the John Hay barangays, Greenwater, finished with 227 at the par 69 course and up its lead to four in Fil B action in the
Gary led the family with 30 points, brother Douglas and nephew John Paul came in with 28 points even as Winnie Opod came in with 23. Another Puckett, Brian, had 16 points and did not count for the second straight day.
Baguio Country Club had 29 points from Ely Lagman, a pair of 26s from Jeff Rzon and Philex Mines top man Euls Austin and 25 from Bong Mandapat for 106 and 223 totl as their one shot deficit turned into four points as they head off to their hole course.
Up their heels is co-host CJH I which shot 105 points and 220 aggregate. Jeung Sek Jun led CJH with 28 points, Miggs Garcia had 27, Shean Bedi and Monet Garcia counted with a pair of 25s.
Camp Aguinaldo Golf Course improved with 105 points for a two round total of 204 and a 17 shot lead in Am B.
Bladimir Arcillas and VJ Eugenio topscored with 31 points ech, even as Martin Jickian and Ricky Velasco chipped in 23 nd 21 points, respectively to count for the team.
San Miguel Corportion shot 93 points for a 187 aggregate to remain at second spot. Counting for the team are: Rolly Valdez (26), August Cruz (24), Luis Sison (22) and Roger Crespo (22).
At third spot is CJH Manor after a 92 and 185, just two off San Miguel. Jay Borromeo led Manor with 26, Jayson Yu had 25, while Jimmy Borromeo and Ronnie Samaniego counted in with 21 and 20, respectively. CJH Development Corporation COO did not count after an 18.
PhilCan Toronto shot 81 points for a 167 total as their lead dwindled to eight in Fil E.
John Borromeo shot 24 points to lead the Fil Canadian even as Jess Bangay came in with 23 points at the par 69 CJH link. Ron Protacio and Jerry Bangay added 18 and 16 respectively to count for the team.
Fairgolf Club of Sydney matcheds PhilCan’s first day flight best of 86 for 159 and assume second spot and ahead of Eagles Masters II which came in with 73 and 154 to moved down to third from second.
Fil-Am Japan and Uragun Golf II shot an identical 68 points at the Baguio Country Club course, the second straight same output for 131 points to remain atop in Am E anew.
Rudy Reyes toppedscored for Japan with 21 points, while Ervan Obrera, Ferdie Carlos and Bob Taylor mde 18, 16 and 13, in that order to count for the team.
Uragun got a pair of 18s from Jayjay Tanjangco and Al Navarro and a pir of 16s from Billy Reyes and Ceasar Santana to count for the team.
Silicon Valley Golfers Link I had 58 points and now trails the two leaders by 11 from a single point on day one.
By Dexter A. See
