TOM Martinez fired a gross of 69 points while Izee Tizon shot a gross of 88 to share the top honors in the recently concluded 5th Jaime V. Ongpin Foundation Incorporated (JVOFI) Golf for a Cause tournament at the Baguio Country Club.
Martinez took the championship crown in the men's Class A division edging Ers Meria and Bobong Ribaya who settled for the first and second runner-up plum in the tournament backed by Texas Instruments Philippines, Incorporated.
Jojo Nicolas won the crown in Class B edging Ed Montenegro and Joseph Pinero who settled for the first and second runner-up plum in the one day tournament which attracted 120 golfers and raised P562,100.
Louie Leganzo was the champion in Class C while Mar Bustos and Roger Mendez settled for the first and second runner-up honors in the tournament also backed by DHL Global Forwarding, Philex Mining Corporation, and Pacsports.
In Class D, Louie Goyone won the championship with Dindo Marzan and Baguio Correspondents and Broadcasters Club president Andrew Pinero settling for the first and second runners-up honors respectively.
Former Mankayan Mayor Materno Luspian won the crown in the Seniors division edging Ed Lubirin who went on to win the first runner-up plum while Alfred Della and Vadz Navarette taking the second and third runner-up awards.
Tizon wrested the championship crown in the ladies division edging Beth Patterson who settled for the first runner-up plum while JVOFI chairperson Ma. Isabel Ongpin took the second runner up honors with Nora Sy salvaging the third runner-up honors.
Marianne Bustos won the plum in the Junior Golf category with Bryan Padilla settling for first runner-up in the tournament also backed by Baguio Country Club, Banco de Oro, Benguet Corporation, Consolidated Industrial Gases, Inc., Crosslink, Edgeworth, Fernando Rosa Bautista Foundation, Globe Telecommunications, Kintetsu World Express, Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company, Philippine Airlines, Rural Bank of Itogon, SN Aboitiz Power, Taikisha, Team Energy, and University of Baguio.
JVOFI president Reynaldo C. Bautista, Sr. said "the tournament would not be a success without the participation of the golfers and sponsors."
Special awardees were Boyet Dioquino for the most accurate drive at hole #8; Joey Ancheta for nearest to the pin on hole #9; Chester Calpotura for longest drive at hole 3; Rick Reyes for the course inspector award; Bong Mandapat for low gross for men and Nida Whybrow for low gross for ladies.
In the major raffle draw, Boyet Dioquino won the grand prize of Nike CCI golf irons courtesy of Pacsports. Winston Rodriguez won a round trip ticket from Philippine Airlines from Manila to any local destination. Other prizes given included: Balenciaga and Rudy Project watches; and gift certificates from Baguio Country Club, Mario's, Sizzling Plate, and Nagomi Spa.
During the awards night, Ongpin stressed the tournament, which was started five years ago would benefit women who wanted to increase their incomes and help their families and send their children to school.
Other sponsors during the one-day golf for a cause tournament are Baguio Electric Cooperative, Baguio New City Grocery, BMW Premier Cars-Pampanga, Embrace, KKK Lumber & Hardware, Mario's Restaurant, MY Builders, Nagomi Spa, PS Bank, Rico's Purified Water, and Sizzling Plate.
Partners and friends who helped promote the event were Baguio Midland Courier, Sun.Star Baguio, Skycable, and the Baguio Summer Capital Golf Club headed by Ely Lagman. (With reports from Jessy M. Balanag)