AVGCC starts strong

THE Cebuano teams had a modest start in the Founders Division of the 26th Philippine Airlines (PAL) Seniors Interclub Golf Tournament, which teed off yesterday at the Alta Golf and Country Club in Cebu City.

Host Alta Vista Golf and Country Club is at third place with 142, while Cebu Country Club (CCC), which is playing in the Founders Division and not the Championship Division as reported yesterday, opened with a 141 for fourth place.

Manila Golf took the lead with 146, while Red Hawk is second with 145.

“We hope our players assigned to play at Club Filipino tomorrow would be able to deliver. I believe that the Cebu-based teams have the advantage because of their familiarity with the course,” AVGCC general manager Nimrod Quinones said.

Akira Hatano led Alta Vista with 48 points, while Jun Suan and Ed Acain had 47 apiece. Ramon Sebastian’s 38 did not count.
Today, Alta Vista will field Razy Razon, Victor Gocela, Masahisa Kawakami and Kim Jae Eun.

On the other hand, CCC team captain Ed Alegrado hopes the team will be at their best in today’s second round fielding, when they will be fielding Montito Garcia, one of their best players.

“We hope to have a very good score tomorrow against all the other bets,” CCC team captain Ed Alegrado said.

Masatsugu Ochiai led CCC with 48 points after scoring four birdies, while Nonoy Tirol had 48 and Seok Kim Kwang scored 44.

In the championship division, Pueblo de Oro stormed to the lead, thanks to two Cebu-born golfers, Clifford Celdran who fired a one under par 71 for 55 points and Victor Yuvallos, who added 52. Ed Yap added 46 for the team’s 153 points.

Lucky day

Celdran, who retired as CCC general manager last year, had three birdies against two bogeys. He said they did not expect to be in contention, adding they just got lucky.

Overshadowed by Pueblo’s surprise strong showing was Luisita Golf Club which drew an exceptional performance from Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richie Garcia.

Garcia, the 67-year-old sports czar, matched par at the Alta Vista Golf Club to lead Luisita with 54 points. He had four birdies against the same number of bogeys.

Francis Gaston shot 47 and Seve Roxas-Chua added 46 as Luisita collected 147 points in the four-to-play, three-to-count event.

Minieng Maravilla failed to count with 45.

Defending champion Canlubang was two points behind with 145 points.

Rolly Viray had a one-birdie, five-bogey 50 points to lead the Sugar Barons. Mari Hechanova added 49 while Rene Unson chipped in 46.

Bing Bunye’s 42 did not count.

The second round in the founders and championship division will be at the Club Filipino in Danao City. (PR)