Two teams share Coral golf lead

CEBU - Two teams share the lead after a cold opening round of the 28th Coral Invitational at the Cebu Country Club yesterday.

With the winds giving the players great golfing weather in the morning, but the drizzles in the afternoon slowing play, the tournament, which is the club’s signature member-guest event, was off to a good start.

It was a good start most especially for the teams of Ruben Almendras and Leo Saberon and that of Benson Chua and Al Parsons as they managed identical scores of 82 points in the Stableford Scoring System.

Almendras fired 40 points while Saberon added 42 for their top scoring performance.

Chua finished with an even-par 36 points and got a huge lift from Parsons, who shot ten-under-par 46 to share the lead.

One point back is the all-lawyer tandem of Jess Garcia and Nilo Seno. Garcia scored 38 points while Seno added 43 for a total of 81.

The second half of the field is set to see action today in this 36-hole, four-day event.

Three teams are tied with 77 points apiece.

Koreans Kim Jae Eun and Lee Ung Rak scored 37 and 40 respectively to run tied for fourth.

Mike Jo scored 34 and James Tan pulled the team up with his 43 to also finish with 77.

The last team to make 77 yesterday was that of Em. and B. Hortelano with 34 and 43 points respectively.

One point further back are two teams. Peter Po, Jr. shot 44 points and Warren Lloyd Go made 32 for a total of 76.

Also with 76 was the team of Rudy Abalos, Jr. with 44 and Joel Ong with 32.

Cousins and fellow politicians Nino Bascon and Tining Martinez combined for 75. Bascon, who is the incumbent Vice Mayor of San Remigio made 39 points while Martinez, the former Mayor of Bogo, shot 36.

The scoring format awards one point for a net one-over-par, two for net par, three for net one-under-par, four for net two-under-par, and five for a net three-under-par.

This member-guest tournament is held every Sinulog week as is the first of the many club tournaments all over the country for the year.

Hole-in-one prizes for the tournament that have been assigned to specific holes are a Suzuki Grand Vitara, a Skygo motorcycle, a Wilson golf set, a Rado wrist watch, and a golf cart.

In case more than one player wins a particular prize, it will have to be equally shared.    (THE FREEMAN)