CLUB Intramuros struck hard twice to take the lead in both the Fil and Am divisions of the Seniors Flight B while a doctor playing for the Media team scored the tournament's first ace.

Efren Tormes scored a flight best 27 points at the par 69 Camp John Hay (CJH) course, in the Pal Modified

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Stableford formatted tournament to give Intramuros 92 points and lead the field by six points at the start of the seniors division of the 59th Fil-Am Golf Invitational.

Backing Tormes were Reynaldo Ulob with 26, Rupert Bayocot had 22 and Rodrigo Villanueva chipped in 17.

Former highways official Willy Enciso had 26 points to lead Isabela Golf Club to 86 points and second spot which is 12 points better than third ranked The Square & Compass Golf Foundation of Nueva Ecija.

At the Baguio Country Club (BCC), the other half of Club Intramuros rode on the 22 points of Rolando Gloda to score 74 points and lead by four points in Am B.

Ramon Montemayor had 21, while Antonio Marfori nd Francisco Manaig added 16 and 15 to score for the team, which leads Aloha GC.

Aloha had 21 from Terry Ueno, an 18 from Mike Hatada, a 17 from from Osamu Nakamura and 14 from local restaurateur Mike Anton of the multi-national group that include an American, Hawaiians of Japanese descent and Anton, a Baguio boy of mixed Spanish and Filipino parent.

Isabela GC had 19 from former Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Silvestre Bello III to finish with 60 and third spot.

But physician Bayani Tecson hogged the limelight when he scored the tournament's first ace at the 13th hole of the CJH course. Tecson, a supporter of the media thus played with the team, was still playing as of Sunday.

About 500 golfers teed off Sunday in the first half of the two week Fil-Am sponsored by Wilson Sports, Hi-Tec, Club Car, Eva Air, Royal Caribbean, Beauty & Fashion Walk, CJH Development Corporation, Sustagen Premium, Golf Force, The Manor, Duty Free Philippines, San Miguel Corporation, University of Baguio, Sout Forbes Golf City, Fil Estate, Riz Golf and Coppertone.

Competitions also started in the lower flights of the regular competition in both the Fil and Am divisions.

Am games are at the par-61 BCC golf course while Fil players are playing at the par-69 Camp John Hay golf course.

In Fil F, Square & Compass got 27 points from Lyndon Esteban for 94 points and the first round lead. The team got 24 each from Mario Villasan and Jesus Diaz, while Reynaldo Pino made 19.

Joseph Timbol made 27 points to pace Isabela GC with 90 and second spot, that is two off Sustagen MDs, a seven man team composed of local doctors.

Randy Kier had 23 points and help local team Sitel-LBC to the lead in Am F with 75 points.

With the 19 of local lawyer Rene Rondez, 17 from Bong Tabora and 16 from Jet Marcelino, the team leads Isabela Golf Club of Tugegarao by six points. Naning Tabalda paced Isabela GC with 23 points.

Other scorers are: Eusebio Paguyo (17), Cecil Carag (16), and Anton Carag (13).

X-Magic Sing is three shots down with 66 on the strength of Jimmy Recio's 23. While Robert Lee had 20, Rey Jucutan with 14 and local councilor Richard Carino with 9. Ilocos Sur Congressman Eric Singson had six and did not count in the tournament that is also backed by University of Baguio and South Forbes.

It will be a six-day competition in the Seniors side with the championship flight teeing off on Monday and will play until Thursday for the final round.

Regular competitions will kick off on Dec. 1 and ends on the sixth.

For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Manila.

(November 24, 2008 issue)
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