Two lawyers and an engineer emerged as winners in the three divisions of the annual Pines Kumpadres Golf Club. Inc. match play held at its adopted home course, Pinewoods Golf and Country Club.
Lawyer Henry Rosito of the Public Attorney’s Office-Bontoc topped the class A following a match with retired military professor Jigs Agulan, who had four wins and one draw going into the finals match.
Rosito, who grew up playing golf in Sapid, Mankayan, Benguet, was also perfect during the elimination and quarterfinals, along with seasoned tournament champion Goody Ignacio, who had to pull off from the match due to emergency reasons.
City Prosecutor Mark Jeff Balangitan topped the class B division over closest rival, Catalino Geston, by virtue of having the most wins in the class.
Balangitan and Geston were all square during the class B championship match, prompting the organizer to choose who will be declared as champion with the former going home with the trophy.
On weekend, Rosito and Balangitan tied in their grand match play to determine the overall winner from the roster of division champions. The two champions will have their second finals match this weekend.
Engr. Leonard Sab-it, meanwhile, topped the class C division having the most number of wins among players with more than 20 handicaps.
Last year, Ramir Badua edged young businessman Aaron Cadiogan to become the back-to-back PKGCI match play champion.
The first PKGCI match play champion is former Transportation and Communications regional director Socrates Suayan.
The annual PKGCI aims to further improve the golfing skills of members while it promotes the value of integrity and honesty among all participants, who must ensure strict adherence to a standard value or conduct while in and out of the fairway. – Harley F. Palangchao
