March 29, 2024

Visiting golfers David Guangko and Mandred Guangko have emerged the top winners in the 7th Philex Mining Company-Philex Mines Golf Club, Inc. golf tournament for-a-cause held at Pinewoods Golf & Country Club on Nov. 15.

D. Guangko clinched the lowest net award with 43 Molave points while M. Guangko had 52 points to win the lowest gross top award of the annual tournament that has been sending mining engineering scholars of PGCI through the years.

PGCI GOLF CUP WINNERS — Philex Mines Golf Club, Inc. President Euls Austin (7th from left, front row), also president and CEO of Philex Mining Corporation, presents the winners in the 7th PGCI Golf Tournament for-a-cause at Pinewoods Golf & Country Club on Nov. 15. The Guangkos topped the tournament. — Harley Palangchao

Local contractor Arnel Peil topped the elite men’s class A with 42 points with Ramir Badua placing second with 41 points.

Allen Aquino won as class B champion with 25 points while Cory Osman placed as first runner-up, also with 25 points.

Rickerts Jimenez won as class C champion with 18 points followed by Lionel Wanawan, also with 18 points.

In golf, the champion among players with identical scores is determined either via countback (better play in the back nine) or through the players’ handicaps.

Anikka Guangko was the best female player with 47 points followed by Jequilyn Morales with 20 points and Marge Datuin with 17 points.

Romeo Bachoco topped the seniors men’s class A with 41 points followed by Kalinga Rep. Sonny Mangaoang with 40 points while Hiroyuki Kasuga edged Noel Tan for the class B champion trophy after both players scored 29 points.

Ed Tom had 22 points to rule the class C followed by Art Ranin, also with 22 points.

Retired police ge-neral Alexander Pumecha fired 272 yards to win the longest drive special award, while Andy Doria’s ball dropped at 193 inches away from the hole to win the nearest to the pin.

Roland Nillas, on the other hand, won the most accurate drive.

PGCI President Euls Austin, who is also the president and chief executive officer of PMC, thanked the sponsors, partners, and players for their continued support to the advocacy of the annual tournament.

Some of the mi-ning engineering scholars of PGCI are now employed by Philex, as people behind the organization want to support more aspiring mining engineers.

Austin also mentioned a plan to donate some of the proceeds of the tournament to a foundation that reaches out to the needy.

This year’s tournament drew more than 80 players, as the number of participants was limited to ensure Covid-19 health protocols are followed.

Winners received trophies and cash prizes. – Harley F. Palangchao