Former PLDT Baguio executive John Marasigan shot the best score of even par 69 for 36 points at the Camp John Hay golf course to lead CJH Golf Club Team 2 to a solid opening round of 119 and take a 25-point lead in Seniors Am A at the start of the 74th Januarius Fil-Am Invitational Golf Tournament kicked off last Friday.
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.
Mamala Bay, a Fil-Am regular, assembled 91 points and a two shot lead on CJH GC Team 1.
Dale Jorgenson led the American squad with 28 points at the short and tricky BCC links, while Chris Howard, Bill Connors and Tom Tudela added 25, 20 and 18 in that order to count for the team.
CJH GC Team 2, meanwhile, was led by former Police Regional Office – Cordillera and Baguio Police director Villamor Bumanglag with 27 points. Hur Yun, contractor Mars Garcia and Lyndon added 22, 21 and 19, in that order to count.
One shot down is Team Okinawa I which finished with 88 points.
Abraham Rojas had 23 as Team City of Vallejo I came out with 73 points and a point ahead of Bahia – LSGH80 in Seniors Fil – C. 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.
Manila Southwoods and Luisita Golf Club are geared towards 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
