March 28, 2024

Seasoned golfer Dai Tsuchiya, who proudly proclaims himself a Japanese Igorot, has finally emerged as the overall champion in the 2023 Pines Kumpadres Golf Club Inc. annual match play held at Pinewoods Golf & Country Club on weekend.

Tsuchiya, a perennial individual and team event champion in some of the biggest tournaments in the country such as the Fil-Am Invitational Golf, routed Marty Manayos in their battle of champions match.

PKGCI MATCH PLAY 2023 WINNERS — The division winners of the annual Pines Kumpadres Golf Club, Inc. match play led by overall champion Dai Tsuchiya were honored during awards night and fellowship at Hotel Supreme on weekend. The other winners are Jigs Agulan for class B, Marty Manayos for class C, and Benjie Kimmayong for class D. — Contributed photo

Tsuchiya was in contention for the class A champion, as he has the best record among the rosters of elite players from the PKGCI leading to the semi-finals.

Manayos, on the other hand, has surprised many in the group, as he has displayed tremendous improvements in his overall game, which made him the overall class C champion.

Jigs Agulan, meanwhile, clinched the overall class B champion.

But it was Benjie Kimmayong, who stole the thunder during the semifinals when he scored an upset win against perennial champion Pol Mayos, who was a class A group winner.

Kimmayong, who had to take a break from the match play after a death in the family, was also the class D overall champion after he emerged to have the best win-loss record from the ranks of relatively beginner golfers.

The annual PKGCI also saw the participation of previous overall champions Ramir Badua, Soc Suayan, and Henry Rosito.

The event is being held primarily to motivate each club member to exert efforts to improve their game skills while strictly observing the rules of the game.

Those who have won in the club’s tournaments are being considered to represent PKGCI in bigger tournaments held in the locality and elsewhere. – Harley F. Palangchao