Seasoned golfer Dai Tsuchiya of Kumpadres birdied three holes in the front nine while he was bogey-less in the back for 51 Molave points to clinch the overall champion in the golf for-a-cause held at Pinewoods Golf & Country Club on weekend.
A member of several local winning teams in big amateur golf tournaments, Tsuchiya’s only pick-up was at hole 8, as he scored points in the 17 other holes, especially in back nine.
Nic Ventura of the Baguio Blue Bloods had 45 Molave points to win the men’s class A of the tournament organized by the Lepanto National High School Alumni Association.
Laywer Ramon Alimba had an identical 45 points for second place followed by Winnie Bautista with 43. Alimba also won the most accurate drive when his ball landed just one meter from the line at hole 14.
Lepanto golfer Carlos Dacyon had 33 points to clinch the B division followed by Dr. Jun Tolete and Fiscal Bhong Sagsago, who both had 33 points.
In golf, tie in scores can be decided through handicap index or via countback or who has the best game in the back nine.
Ramon Balay-odao, on the other hand, topped division C with 25 points followed by Noel Magalgalit and Cornelius Felix, also both with 25 points.
LNHS alumnus Gene Lomboy won the nearest to the pin special award when his ball landed at 253 centimeters at hole nine while Jason Ayugat fired 290 yards at hole 15 to win the longest drive award.
There was celebration among senior players when Joshua Ribaya aced hole nine using a Callaway 8-iron from 120 yards while playing with Marty Manayos, Paul Diaz, and Leo Sab-it.
The LNHS Alumni Association golf for-a-cause aims to fund some of the projects and programs of the school in Paco, Mankayan, Benguet.
LNHS Alumni Association president, Atty. Lionel Wanawan, thanked all the sponsors and players for supporting the tournament. – Harley F. Palangchao
