ROYAL Golf Club of Zamboanga (RGCZ) President Alan Villanueva has called on different clubs to build a strong relationship among them and work for the promotion of golf as Zamboanga City’s worthwhile sports.

Villanueva made the call as he clarified during the awarding ceremony Sunday night of the First Royal Golf Club of Zamboanga Invitational Tournament that they organized the RGCZ not to compete with other existing clubs.

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“Our club consisting only of 12 members was conceptualized to promote sportsmanship, understanding, camaraderie and friendship among its members and, at the same time, promote the game of golf as a worthwhile sport,” Villanueva said.

“We did not organize to compete with other golf clubs but instead we formed this club to forge a cordial and solid relationship with other clubs to include the PTA (Philippine Tourism Authority),” he added.

The RGCZ was organized early this year and is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Sixty-nine golfers have participated in the two-day First Royal Golf Club of Zamboanga invitational tournament held from Saturday until Sunday at the Zamboanga Golf Course and Beach Park in the city.

Ronald Wee scored 69 as he won the championship in the Class A division, followed by Aris Fernando with 71 and Benjie Chiong with 73 as first and second runner-ups, respectively.

Raymond Padayhag, president of the Zamboanga Golf and Country Club (ZGCC), captured the championship trophy in the Class B division with a score of 66.

Padayhag was followed by Len-Len Gumilac with 68 and Dr. Noel Arquiza with 68 as the Class B division first and second runner-ups.

Lope Iringan of Medika captured the championship trophy as he dominated and won the championship in the Class C division with the score of 66.

Iringan was tailed by Kenneth Lee with the score of 68 and Danny Lim with 70 as the Class C first and second runner-ups.

For the guest participants, Noel Beleran dominated by garnering the score of 71. He was followed by Anthony Marquez with 72 and two birdies, and Navy Commander Ireneo Batung with the score of 72, with one birdie.

For special prices: Iringan received the award of nearest to the pin by 24 inches at hole number 13; Lani Verar for rope line most accurate drive at fairway number 12; lawyer Jay-Jay Coloso for longest putt at 17 feet and two inches at hole number 18; and Dr. Henry Ratag for longest drive at 264 yards at fairway number 4.

Ernie Ruste garnered the low gross with the score of 74, while Jommel Sevilla got the low net with the score of 65.

Professional golfers that include Robert Pactolerin, Nonoy Pactolerin, Antolin Fernando and Ben Mabanza graced the two-day tournament and played an exhibition game.

Japanese golf enthusiasts Mike Miyamoto also flew to Zamboanga City and participated in the two-day sport event.

Guest of honor during the awards night, Second District congressman Erbie Fabian -- represented by Eddie Catiz, announced that he will sponsor an open invitational golf tournament before the Fiesta Pilar Day in October.

Fabian, who was also one of the major sponsors in the two-day golf event, said that among the golfers who will be invited to the October tournament are from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, Cagayan Valley Esplendido Golf Club and the Aguinaldo Golf Club.

He said it is his grand aspiration to revitalize and enhance the picturesque and historical golf course of Zamboanga City. (Bong Garcia)