Kim-Cabrera sets the pace in 29th Coral Invitational

CEBU, Philippines - Kim Jae Eun and partner Nestor Cabrera took the first day lead in the 29th Coral Invitational, which teed off at the Cebu Country Club yesterday.

The pair combined for 87 points to tow the field in this two-man member-guest tournament.

The event uses the Modified Stableford Scoring System, which awards six points for a net albatross, five for a net ace, four for net eagle, three for net birdie, two for net par, and one for net bogey.

Tied at second spot are the teams of Yasuaki Suda and Shigeru Matsui and that of Collin Go and Philip Huang with 86 points apiece.

With the weather cooperating yesterday, the fairways and greens were very dry allowing players to get extra yardage from the roll.

Jaime Antunez and Michael Lim are three points further back with 83 points and three teams are tied with 82 apiece.

These were the duos of lawyers Tito Pintor and Marlou Cugtas, Alex Garcia and Paul Lee, and Joseph Yu and Eduard Eden Yu.

The Joseph and Eduard Yu also pace the seniors’ division, which is for teams with a total age of 120 years.

The excellent conditions allowed many teams to break par yesterday.

Also finishing in the line of eight was the team of Ken Nakada and Felix Villanueva with 80 points.

Running second in the seniors’ class is the tandem of Henry Dy and James Gaite with 77 points followed by Dr. Cesar Chan and Danny Co with 74.

Around 200 teams are seeing action in this four-day event where players have to play two rounds.

A Volvo and a townhouse have been put on the line as hole-in-one prizes.

The Coral Invitational is the signature tournament of the club and is the first among the many member-guest tournaments played in various golf clubs around the country during the year.

The second half of the field will play their first round today and a Calcutta will be held tonight to spice up the competition. -  THE FREEMAN